As families prepare for the upcoming school year, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is encouraging parents and guardians to schedule sports physicals and annual wellness visits for their teenagers before classes and extracurricular activities begin.
"Annual wellness visits provide an important opportunity to identify potential health concerns early and help teens develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime," said Dana Lawson, MD, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Clinical Operations at Louisiana Healthcare Connections. "Whether a teen plans to participate in athletics, marching band, or other school activities, a comprehensive health checkup helps ensure they are physically and emotionally prepared for a successful school year."
Healthcare professionals recommend that adolescents receive an annual wellness visit, even when they feel healthy. These appointments allow providers to monitor growth and development, administer recommended vaccinations, and discuss health concerns that may affect academic performance, athletic participation, and overall well-being.
According to Lawson, these conversations can help teens make informed decisions and build confidence in managing their health as they become more independent.
"Parents play a vital role in supporting their teen's health, but adolescence is also an important time for young people to learn how to advocate for themselves and ask questions about their well-being," Lawson said. "Creating space for honest conversations with healthcare providers can help teens establish lifelong habits that support both physical and mental health."
Louisiana Healthcare Connections covers preventive care services, including annual wellness visits and many recommended screenings, for eligible members, along with healthy rewards incentives.