SC Wisconsin News

Child wellness gains increased attention during the summer months, as families are reminded to prioritize proactive healthcare for their children. Ensuring a child's health extends beyond basic checkups, involving support for their physical, emotional, and developmental needs.

Angela Helm, a family medicine physician assistant with Aspirus, emphasizes the importance of comprehensive well-child checkups. These visits offer crucial opportunities to assess various aspects of a child's health and provide tailored guidance.

"Well-child visits are so much more than a quick once-over," says Helm. "They’re an essential touchpoint for both families and providers to ensure children are thriving in all aspects of their lives—body, mind, and spirit."

Annual appointments play a significant role in prevention, early detection, and health education. They cover growth evaluation and address concerns such as sleep patterns, nutrition, mental well-being, and safety habits. Routine immunizations are also updated during these visits to protect against preventable diseases.

"Each child is unique, and these visits give us the chance to partner with families to provide personalized care and guidance," Helm adds. "From managing picky eating to discussing screen-time limits, we aim to empower parents with actionable insights."

Scheduling well-child visits early ensures that children meet key health milestones before returning to school. Whether or not they participate in organized sports, these visits remain vital in their overall healthcare journey. Preventive care continues to be central in pediatric health by supporting long-term wellness through consistent monitoring and early intervention.

Appointments can be scheduled by contacting local Aspirus clinics via the My Aspirus app or visiting MyAspirus.org. Families without an Aspirus provider can explore options at aspirus.org/find-a-provider.