Video: A Pediatrician Tells Home Visitors How They Can Improve Child Health Outcomes

Well-baby visits, health screenings, milestones, vaccines — there’s a lot for parents to keep track of during a child’s first few years of life.

But home visitors are there to help. They don’t substitute for doctor’s visits, but rather complement and support pediatric care by keeping parents on track with appointments and helping them navigate the thicket of insurance coverage. Home visitors also conduct basic developmental screenings and monitor milestones, connecting parents with health specialists when necessary.

And that’s a lot for home visitors to keep track of. To help, pediatrician Alexandra Iacob gave a presentation (below) on February 15 to the San Fernando Valley region of L.A. County’s Family Strengthening Network. Dr. Iacob, who is Chief Resident at Loma Linda University Pediatric Residency Program, referenced these resources in her talk:

• CDC’s easy-to-read immunization schedule for parents (in English and Spanish)
• CDC’s infographic: How Vaccines Strengthen Your Baby’s Immune System
• CDC’s infographic: Cómo fortalecen las vacunas el sistema inmunitario de su bebé
• Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know (free mobile app for parents)
• Growing Healthy One Visit at a Time (Dr. Iacob’s handout showing schedule of immunizations and screenings)
• Growing Healthy One Visit at a Time (Dr. Iacob’s presentation slides)

Do you know a family who is trying to pick a pediatrician? This WebMD article gives some tips.