Young & Healthy

It’s the end of summer and fall is right around the corner. Kids have been on summer schedules – and summer diets! This combination – and many other everyday factors – can lead to kidney stones in children and teens. On today’s episode of Young & Healthy, we sit down with Dr. Bob DeFoor, a pediatric urologist who has treated children and teens with kidney stones for more than 20 years. He talks to us about the condition, causes, symptoms and the many ways the team at the Pediatric Stone Center helps treat and prevent kidney stones for pediatric patients. Resources: To learn more about the Pediatric Stone Center, visit Pediatric Stone Center | Cincinnati Children’s (cincinnatichildrens.org) Call the Pediatric Stone Center at 513-803-ROCK where a provider will get to you right away.

“When in doubt, sit them out.” Concussion symptoms in a young athlete should never be ignored. Dr. Kate Berz and Dr. Paul Gubanich are sports medicine specialists and concussion experts – they're on the podcast today to answer the questions that so many parents have about concussions and kids playing contact collision sports. We cover the role coaches play in identifying injuries, when a young athlete should see a doctor, the importance of rest after a concussion, helmets, and the important question of whether contact collision sports are worth the risk. If you have a young athlete – especially one who plays soccer, lacrosse or football – this is one you don’t want to miss! Check out the chapter markers for quick access to important sections in this episode. Brain Health and Wellness Center

Do you think your baby has a flat spot on her head? Does it seem like he always lays his head to the same side when laying down? Your baby could have positional plagiocephaly or torticollis, or both! These conditions are common for infants and both concerns are worth seeing a doctor about. They are big words, but so much simpler than we realize. Torticollis is Latin for “twisted neck” and just means an infant may prefer twisting their head to one side or the other. Plagiocephaly is the flattening on an infant’s head due to repeated twisting and lying flat. In the second episode of the Young & Healthy infant series, Dawn Rothchild, advanced practice nurse in the division of plastic surgery and Dr. Amy Mischnick, pediatric physical therapist, join us to tell us more about these two conditions. We discuss causes, treatments, and prevention for both. Dawn and Amy also share how the two conditions can occur simultaneously and provide advice for next steps if you are concerned about your baby. Blog: 5 Must-Know Points About Infantile Torticollis (cincinnatichildrens.org)

Currently in the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 as well as ages 25-34. When adolescents and teens can recognize and understand how they are feeling they are better able to plan to help themselves or help a friend. On today’s episode of the Young & Healthy Podcast, we sit down to talk with Stacey Hoffman and Pete Mesrin about Adapt for Life, a mental wellness and suicide prevention program designed to help kids understand their own mental health and empower them to ask for help if they need it. Our guests explain the ADAPT framework which stands for Ask, Describe, Assess, Plan, and Talk and they explain how this framework helps students develop healthy behaviors and handle stress. Listen today for actionable steps you and your kids can carry forward from the ADAPT framework to support mental wellbeing and readiness to recognize if someone needs help. Resources: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 Cincinnati Children’s Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC): 513-636-4124 Adapt for Life: https://www.adaptforlife.org/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 1N5: 1N5 | Stop the Stigma. Start the Conversation.

… are you ready for it? The Taylor Swift Eras Tour is making its way to Cincinnati next week. On this episode of Young and Healthy, music therapists Bethany Rice and Erin Seibert sit down to discuss all things music from the ways it promotes language development, to how it affects socialization and connection. We learn how playing an instrument is beneficial for the body and mind, and no, you do not have to be a professional to enjoy making music! We also learn about what music therapy is, who can benefit from it and musical tools parents and caregivers can incorporate into their everyday lives. You’ll be dancing like you’re made of “Starlight” after this episode. Resources: For more information on Cincinnati Children’s Creative Arts Therapies, please visit: Creative Arts Therapies at Cincinnati Children's (cincinnatichildrens.org) To find a music therapist to work with in your area, please visit: www.cbmt.org.

The summer months are perfect for outdoor fun. Whether your family is playing at the pool, taking a camping trip or having a staycation in your backyard, you should aim to keep your child’s skin protected. On today’s episode of Young & Healthy, Dr. Jasmine Gray from Florence Primary Care discusses best practices to protect your skin from the sun, biting and stinging insects and what to do if you have an encounter with rash-causing, poisonous plants. Topic Timestamps: Sun Safety: 1:14- Importance of taking precautions with skin in the summer. 2:13- Ways to protect the skin from sunburn. 4:15- Can children be too young for sunscreen? 4:40- Appropriate SPF level to wear. 6:52- Treatment for sunburn. 8:36- When to see your PCP for sunburn. 9:17- Sun poisoning and Heat Rash. Bug Bites: 11:38- Types of bugs that can be problematic during the summer. 12:22- How to protect kids from bugs. 13:47- Ticks. 14:43- Removing a tick. 17:08- Mosquitos. 19:43- Types of medicine to take for reactions. 20:37-What to look for in a developing allergic reaction. 22:53-Treatment for a sting that hurts (not an allergic reaction). 24:23- Final advice for bug bites and stings. Poisonous Plants: 25:24- Types of poisonous plants during summer. 26:17- What does the rash from poison ivy or poison oak look like. 27:15- Treatment for poison ivy and poison oak rash. 29:33- Can rashes be spread from person to person? 31:15- When to see your PCP for poison ivy or poison oak rash. 31:45- How to prevent exposure to poisonous plants. 32:20- Final thoughts

Important Note: If your child is experiencing a serious emergency, always call 911. It is scary and stressful when your child is sick or injured. Deciding where to go for emergency or urgent medical care is not always easy. On today’s episode of Young & Healthy, we provide the information you need so you are ready to make that decision if the time comes. Emergency doctors Brad Sobolewski and Hannah Carron join us and share insight on what injuries need an immediate trip to the emergency department and what injuries are okay to have seen in urgent care. They also discuss the option of virtual urgent care, where to go for mental health crises and common misunderstandings about the emergency department. Listen today so you're ready for anything that may happen tomorrow! Resources: For more information about Emergency Care and Urgent Care, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/locations/urgent-care/care Poison Help Line: 1-800-222-1222.

"When I think of the families and the patients that I've seen, the first thing I think of is how much I love them all." - Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney. Connections with patients, families and colleagues have always been at the heart of Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney's approach to medicine and leadership. She will retire next month, after more than 30 years at Cincinnati Children’s. She joins us today on Young & Healthy to reflect on the highlights of her career, her passion for developmental pediatrics and what she’ll miss most as she transitions to her next chapter of life. If you love a good origin story or adore Dr. Manning-Courtney as much as we do, this is a must-listen episode!

Life with a newborn is a magical time, but it can also be a bit scary. Whether you are a first-time parent or have older kids too, the first weeks at home with a new baby usually come with lots of questions and new concerns. From bathing guidelines and wake windows to cradle cap, feeding schedules and diaper rash – there are so many things to know! In this first episode of the Young & Healthy infant series, Drs. Mary Carol Burkhardt and Nick DeBlasio share their expertise and their wisdom as we walk through some of the most common concerns and questions they hear from brand new parents. Timestamps: 1:00: Things to see a pediatrician for. 2:48- Bathing guidelines. 7:16- Diaper Rash. 11:14- Baby acne. 13:50- Cradle cap. 16:05- Feeding a newborn 23:11- Baby poop 30:36 -Newborn Sleep 34:16- Wake windows 39:15- Final thoughts

Bravery, love, forgiveness, humor, honesty, and creativity. These are some of the 24 character strengths that are part of each and every one of us. Today we are talking about how identifying character strengths that shine in children, and telling them what we see, can have a profound positive impact on how they see themselves. It’s called strength spotting and Dr. Pratima Shanbhag and social worker Ashley Cremeans from our Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children are experts at strength spotting. They use it in their practice with children who have experienced trauma and they are on the podcast today to teach us how parents and other health professionals can also use it to help children see and celebrate the strengths that make them uniquely wonderful. Topic timestamps: 1:53- What is strength Spotting. 3:33- Examples of the type of character strengths. 9:32- How strengths can help children who have challenges other than those associated with trauma. 14:43- Do strengths change as children get older. 21:18- Utilizing Strengths with staff at the Mayerson Center. 23:56- Favorite experience using strengths/Final Thoughts. 27:53- What is next with the strength spotting project. Via Character Strengths Survey: https://www.viacharacter.org/surveys/takesurvey

Let's face it, feeding kids is a lot of work. Finding healthy meals and snacks that they want to eat, sometimes feels impossible. But it doesn't have to! Catherine Anthony, a registered dietitian with our Healthworks! program joined us today to talk about how to involve kids in the kitchen and help them learn to love what they eat. She has fantastic ideas for kids of all ages that can make life easier now and set kids up for a lifetime of good food experiences.

Is it a toy, or an important tool to help kids manage anxiety? Does the fidget distract the student, or help them focus? Therapists Emily Meyer and Jenny McNiese are what you might call fidget experts, and they have nothing but good things to say about kids using fidgets. We know it's easy to be skeptical of the "toys" that so many kids have in their backpacks and pockets, but we shouldn't be. Today we talk about how helpful they can be to kids and teens to help manage anxiety, stay calm and focus.

In this episode of Young & Healthy, we talk about the basics of ADHD with Dr. Tanya Froehlich and Dr. Landon Krantz. They share how a child’s doctor can help when families first become curious if a child has ADHD, and how to think about the difference between typical kid energy and ADHD. We also explore the signs that indicate an evaluation is a good next step and treatments that are available. If you’ve ever questioned if a behavior is typical for your child’s developmental age, or worried that they aren’t focusing well in school, this episode is for you.

Would you know what to do if someone collapsed in front of you? What about if an accident happened and someone was bleeding heavily? In a conversation with two emergency medicine physicians, Dr. Cindy Chang and Dr. Brad Sobolewski, we dive into first aid and the importance of acting quickly and calling for help if an emergency unfolds in front of you. Learning how to do CPR, stop bleeding and use an AED, are all important steps that parents and older kids can take together to be ready. This 40 minute episode could literally help you save someone's life. Topic timestamps: 3:33 - Types of first aid and when you could need them 5:45 - High quality CPR - why it's important and how to do it 7:40 - Hands-only CPR - why breaths aren't advised anymore 10:20 - AEDs - what they do and when to use one 12:30 - AEDs - how to use one 15: 32 - Hemorrhage and bleeding control 17:19 - Tourniquets - why and how to use one 22:20 - Teaching kids first aid skills to learn more about right age to teach them 25:05 - CAT tourniquets and bleeding control kits 26:44 - Addressing concern about fear or hesitation to do first aid 29:43 - Trusted organizations for teaching first aid 31:40 - Additional benefits to parents who learn first aid 32:55 - AEDs in public places and who can use them 34:10 - Purchasing an AED and first aid supplies 38:06 - Final thoughts from our experts Trusted organizations: American Heart Association CPR & First Aid Red Cross Training | Take a Class | Red Cross Project ADAM STOP THE BLEED - Save a Life | Stop The Bleed

Heading into the annual testing season, we're dedicating time today to discuss the importance of mental health for students who will take the ACT or SAT tests this year, as well as for younger kids who also have big tests on the horizon. Guest expert, Iranetta Wright, Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools, and Cincinnati Children's mental health expert Dr. Brian Kurtz, share their experiences and guidance for parents who are helping their kids through this phase. Parents of high schoolers and middle schoolers this one is a must listen!

We are wrapping up Season 2 of Young & Healthy with a lively conversation about the best episodes of the year. Our whole team is together in the studio, including Michael English, Symfhani Fair-Harris, Bo McMillan, and Kate Setter. We discuss some of our favorite episodes and what is in store for season 3. Be sure to follow Cincinnati Children’s on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and share with us some topics you want to hear in season 3. Happy Holidays everyone, and thanks for listening!

Viral respiratory illnesses are spreading rapidly in our community. We are seeing higher numbers of both RSV and Flu than are usual this time of year. Plus Covid is still circulating, along with other viruses that typically cause cold-like symptoms. Babies are particularly at risk of serious illness from these viruses and we are asking parents to please pay attention! Cincinnati Children’s, and our peer children’s hospitals in other areas are all bursting at the seams, plus Emergency and Urgent Care wait times are incredibly long. Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney, Dr. Brad Sobolewski, and Dr. Felicia Scaggs-Huang are with us this week to explain the situation and provide guidance for parents whose kids are sick. They share prevention measures all families can take, and extra precautions parents of infants need to keep in mind, as RSV can quickly turn into bronchiolitis – a serious respiratory illness. Please help us get this information to as many parents as possible, and we humbly ask for your patience as we are working hard every day to ensure kids have the care they need.

Watching your kids say yes to something new and challenging, is an incredibly rewarding moment as a parent. With the help of be.well, more kids in our area are able to experience those magical moments. Today on Young & Healthy, pediatric PTs and be.well’s co-directors, Dr. Jennifer Angeli and Dr. Danny Meyer, join us to talk about the importance of movement for children and tell us more about the experiences they are making possible for their patients. Spoiler alert: physical limitations become an afterthought and kids are finding new things they love to do! The origin story is a single patient and today there are hundreds who are learning new skills, meeting new people and becoming more confident in their bodies. Plus, there are opportunities to volunteer and support this work. This is a program you want to know more about! To receive announcements on the be.well program, please text the characters “bewell” to the number 66866. For more information on be.well: Wellness Programs If you are interested in supporting be.well through active volunteerism, subscribe to our volunteer registry.

The holiday season is upon us, and this often means gatherings and celebrations with food. These gatherings and events can be stressful and dangerous for children who have food allergies. This week we we are pleased to welcome three food allergy experts. First, Christa Mills, food allergy coordinator and Registered Nurse, shares how we can all take part in the teal pumpkin project and shares some tips for inclusivity around the holidays. Next, Dr. Amal Assa’ad answers all of our questions about food allergies, symptoms, and treatments. She also shares what parents should do if their child has an allergic reaction. Our final conversation is with Dr. Justin Schwartz, a pediatric allergist who is an expert in oral immunotherapy for food allergies. We dive into what is oral immunotherapy treatment, the benefits of OIT, and who would make a good candidate for this type of treatment. To learn more about the Division of Allergy and Immunology, please visit https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/a/allergy-immunology

Migraine – a disease with a strong genetic component – can affect as many as 10% of children and present as early as two years old. The headache is the most prevalent symptom of migraine, but there is a lot more to this disease than many people understand. This week on Young & Healthy, experts from the Headache Center, Dr. Marielle Kabbouche Samaha and Dr. Shalonda Slater, join us to answer all of your questions about migraine. We discuss the difference between a migraine and a headache of a different origin, the types of migraines, the stages of migraine, and red flags that may indicate a headache is a symptom of something else. Dr. Kabbouche Samaha and Dr. Slater also share how children can adopt healthy habits to improve migraine frequency, treatments that are available for children, and what to do if a migraine starts while at school. For more information on the Headache Center, please visit https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/h/headache-center.

Reaching “survivorship” often feels like the finish line for families who experience a childhood cancer diagnosis, but it is so important to also have the right care after treatment has ended. On this episode of Young & Healthy, Dr. Melissa Erickson, Medical Director of Cancer Survivorship as well as Oncology Primary Care at the University of Cincinnati, and Dr. Ellen Chang, Pediatric Oncologist here at Cincinnati Children’s join us to talk about how they think about care for cancer survivors. They discuss the impact cancer treatment can have throughout a patient’s lifetime, the importance of long-term follow up care, and the many ways family members can support survivors. For more information on the Cancer Survivorship Center, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/cancer-survivor

Let’s talk about poop, specifically, constipation. Constipation is the inability to have a bowel motion or fully empty the bowels each day. It is a common GI problem, and so many parents know the struggle of managing constipation. On this episode of Young & Healthy, Dr. Temara Hajjat, a pediatric GI specialist, joins us to advise parents on how to handle constipation with kids of all ages. We discuss the causes of constipation, signs to look for, treatments and how to use them correctly and when kids should see a pediatrician or GI specialist. Dr. Hajjat also shares common misconceptions about constipation, and reassures us all that it’s important to talk about poop!

This episode is your cheat sheet for the first few weeks of school, to help your kids start the year strong and set them up for success all year long. On this episode of Young & Healthy, Carissa Lloyd and Kenny Haber, former special-ed teachers, and school liaisons in our Center for School Services, have all the tips to help students – and their families! - get ready to navigate the school year. They discuss setting schedules for in-person and virtual learning, setting healthy academic goals, studying tips, and preparing for state tests. We also discuss IHPs, 504 Accommodation Plans, and IEPs – the plans that help every child learn in an environment that supports their individual needs. If you have a child starting a new school year, this episode is for you! To learn more about the Center for School Services, visit here: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/resources/services/school-services For additional resources, please read: Tips for Communicating with Your Child's School

It’s a relief to have medications available when a member of your family is diagnosed with a new condition. But do you know how that medication was developed and what went into its approval for you to be able to use it? Dr. Marc Rothenberg has been working on a drug for the last decade to help his patients who have eosinophilic esophagitis. He’s our guest today, providing insight to how a new drug is developed; what the research, approval and distribution look like. He also shares more about how he and his team have given so much of themselves over the past many years to bring this drug to market for patients who previously haven’t had medication available. There is more to this process than we ever knew and we hope you will listen and learn more too. Cincinnati Center for Eosinophilic Disorders Research: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/divisions/c/cced-research/research

Anxiety is not a bad thing for children to experience. It is a feeling or emotion that involves tension, worried thoughts and physical responses. Anxiety is normal and is necessary to protect us from potential dangers, and motivate us to start or finish tasks. It exists on a spectrum from typical to needs intervention. On this episode of Young & Healthy, we explore this topic that we know parents are eager to learn more about. Dr. Suzanne Sampang, and Dr. Jeffrey Strawn join us to share their expertise about anxiety and anxiety disorders in children. They explain three types of anxiety disorders, common symptoms of each, and the impact of the pandemic on kids and the anxiety they experience. We also discuss symptoms that can look like anxiety but may actually indicate something else is going on, and strategies parents can use to check in with their child, and help them navigate situations that are anxiety inducing.

It's summertime and kids are spending more time at the pool, playing outside, riding bikes with friends, and having grand summer adventures. Sometimes their adventures lead to injuries, making summer a busy time for the emergency department at Cincinnati Children's. But, summer activities don't have to end in an emergency visit; many injuries are preventable. This week on the podcast, Dr. Wendy Pomerantz, one of our emergency medicine doctors and Dawne Gardner, an injury prevention specialist, join us to talk about summertime injuries in the ED and how to prevent them, as well as information for parents to help them know what to do if an injury does happen. Blog: Grill Safety Do’s and Don’ts Blog: Preventing Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke: Remember to A.C.T.

If you are a parent of an athlete, this episode is for you! Adolescent and teen athletes are not simply smaller adult athletes. They are still growing physically and mentally, and it is important to keep this in mind if they get injured playing a sport they love. Such as, did you know kids don’t get rotator cuff injuries, but are sometimes still diagnosed with them incorrectly? This week on the podcast, we have Dr. Kelsey Logan, and Dr. Eric Wall join us to discuss the importance of pediatric sports specialists. Our experts break down pediatric sports medicine and explain why young athletes need pediatric specialists. They also discuss when to visit a sports medicine specialist or an orthopedic specialist, common sports injuries, and how to know you need to have a sports injury checked out. This episode is a slam dunk, and you won’t want to miss it! For more information on the Division of Sports Medicine, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/s/sports-medicine Blog: Caring for Young Athletes: The Importance of Pediatric Specialists

The nationwide formula shortage that continues to impact many families’ ability to find formula for their babies and children continues to cause fear, stress, and frustration for many families. Dr. Mary Carol Burkhardt, Dr. Sheela Geraghty, and Registered Dietitian Jeanna Jackson join us to provide families with more information about the ongoing formula shortage. They share strategies families can use to find formulas in the retail space and what to avoid during the shortage. Dr. Sheela Geraghty also discusses how to support breastfeeding mothers, milk sharing, and more. This is an episode you won’t miss! For more information on milk banks in your area, please visit: The Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Infant Formula Shortage FAQs: Help for Parents

You may have recently seen in headlines, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating several clusters of unexplained hepatitis in children. Dr. Kathy Campbell and Dr. Lara Danziger-Isakov join us to explain what this means and what experts are learning about the cases and potential causes. They also give us a great introduction to what hepatitis is, as well as important advice for parents about reacting to cases in the news. Tune in to this significant episode. You won’t want to miss it! For more information about the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, please visit Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition . For more information about The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Investigation, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/

After we endured the massive omicron surge in January, much lower COVID numbers in the community have offered some relief for families. We’re calling it a lull in the pandemic, and Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney and Dr. Josh Schaffzin join us this week to discuss how we should behave in a pandemic lull – when cases are more manageable, but not zero. We also discuss why it is vital to continue to mask in healthcare settings and bust some myths about COVID variants. If you’ve been wondering what’s going on with the pandemic, here is the update you need, we cover it all! Click for frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines. For additional resources visit Coronavirus Resources for Families.

18-year-old Cate Casey always knew she was extra flexible and had a lot of headaches, but during her teen years, she found herself unable to do most of her normal activities – and had no idea why. Join us this week as we talk to Cate and a member of her “medical village”, Dr. Melodie Blacklidge, about Cate’s eventual diagnoses of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and POTS – or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. If you’re “double jointed”, super flexible, have an arm-span longer than your height, can pull your pinkie back toward your wrist or have otherwise heard that you are hypermobile – this is your episode! Dr. Blacklidge explains hypermobility in the most understandable way and she helped connect the dots for Cate. We also explore how lonely it can be to have a condition that others don’t understand, Cate’s commitment to advocating for her own care and the dangerous, slippery slope of looking to social media and online influencers for support and advice about medical conditions. Cate is a remarkable young woman and we hope you’ll join us to hear her story. For more information on the Ehlers-Danlos Society click here: https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/support-echo/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3YnGmsuv9wIVMyc4Ch0ewQ2VEAAYASAAEgI7t_D_BwE

This week on the podcast, Registered Dietitians Alison Cassin and Meghan McNeill join Michael English to talk about plant-based milks. Many children are unable to drink cow’s milk and luckily there are alternative products for them. But there are a whole lot of options in the milk case lately and they are not created equal. If you have a kiddo who can’t - or won’t - drink cow’s milk, you shouldn’t miss this episode, it’s full of udderly fantastic information!

On this episode of Young & Healthy, we explore the topic of Child Abuse Prevention. Experts from our Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children introduce listeners to information that can help grown ups be more aware of what can lead to abuse, how to be alert to signs that a child may be experiencing abuse, and how to get help. They also tell us about protective factors for children and how to help kids overcome adverse childhood experiences and build resilience that will benefit them through their whole lives. Helpful resources for families who wish to learn more: The Mayerson Center: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/m/mayerson-center Mayerson Center Full List of Resources: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/m/mayerson-center/resources Free training for teachers and anyone who works with children who have experienced a traumatic event: Mayerson Trauma-Informed Care (mayersoncentertic.org) Darkness to Light - information on sexual abuse: https://www.d2l.org/

Social-emotional learning, commonly referred to as SEL, is a framework that can help students and the adults they become thrive personally and academically. This week, we have Dr. Aria Fiat, and Dr. Phoebe Jordan join Kate Setter to give parents more context on the social-emotional learning framework and how it comes to life in learning environments. We also discuss the research on SEL, misconceptions about the intent of SEL, the essential components of the framework, parent modeling, and more. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! For more information on Social and Emotional Learning, please visit https://casel.org/

Cincinnati Children's chaplains, Marc Zumhagen and Yisroel Kaufman, join Michael English for a conversation about the importance of having tough conversations with kids. With military conflict in our world, as well as a pandemic that pushes on, and all of the challenges families face everyday, kids worry and need the adults in their lives to help them talk about the tough stuff. Marc and Yisroel offer real-life examples and incredibly practical advice for parents to create a space where kids and adults together can talk about hard things and make them manageable together.

This week on the podcast, Dr. Ndidi Unaka, and Dr. Andy Beck join us for a conversation about health equity. We answer the questions: What is health equity? How can the healthcare system achieve health equity? And, what is Cincinnati Children’s doing to foster and support this work? We also dive into the definition of social determinants of health and the long-term effects they can have on a child. Our guests also give advice on how people who are not in the medical profession can help make health equity a reality. To learn more about All Children Thrive, please visit All Children Thrive Healthy People 2030

Dr. Patty Manning-Courtney and Dr. Bob Frenck join us for a COVID-19 update and share what they are seeing in children with omicron, how the community is doing with vaccine rates, and what we know about when vaccines will be available for kids 6 mos.- 5 yrs. We also discuss booster shots for children ages 12-17, the difference between pandemic and endemic, and parents' concerns related to myocarditis. This is a jam-packed episode that addresses many of the questions we’re hearing lately about the state of the pandemic. Click for frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

The Young & Healthy Podcast is back for season two and in this first episode, we are pleased to have Cincinnati Children’s new President and CEO, Steve Davis, MD, join us in the studio. Our conversation with Steve covers his vision for himself as a leader, a bit about his earlier career and what he loves most about his job and about Cincinnati Children's. He also tells us about his family and what his experience has been as a leader in healthcare during the pandemic. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

This week on the podcast, we bring together the podcast team to talk about our favorite episodes and reflections on Season 1 of Young & Healthy. Michael English and Symfhani Pitts join Kate Setter to wrap up the season and provide some recommendations for must-listen episodes that newer listeners may have missed. Be sure to join us again in January to kick off season 2! Thanks for listening and happy holidays.

This week on the podcast, we welcome parents who are also members of the Marketing and Communications team at Cincinnati Children’s. Michael English and Allison Bradley join us to discuss the magic of the holidays and Santa Claus. Our guests share the role that Santa plays in their household during the holidays. We also discuss how they found out about Santa as children, giving to others and the magic of the holidays. Although we are talking about Christmas during this episode, we recognize that our listeners celebrate many different traditions and faith practices during this time of the year and encourage you all to also listen to last week’s episode about holiday traditions - it’s a good one!

This week on the podcast, we welcome members of the pastoral care team at Cincinnati Children’s. Daphene Baines, Chaplain Marc Zumhagen, and Chaplain Yisroel Kaufman join us for an exciting and heartfelt conversation about holiday traditions. We dive into the meaning of a tradition and why it is important to learn about traditions different from our own. Our guests also share some of their favorite holiday traditions, how they have changed during the pandemic, and share thoughts on navigating grief during the holiday season.

The holiday season is here and as Thanksgiving approaches, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Lynne Merk, a clinical psychologist here at Cincinnati Children’s, to talk about gratitude during the holidays and throughout year. Listen in as Dr. Merk shares how being grateful is good for health and happiness, as well as advice on how families can make gratitude a habit. We also share creative activities families can do this holiday season, modeling positive behavior, and talk about generosity’s role in fostering an attitude of gratitude. For additional resources on how to help children learn habits of gratitude, please visit: https://blog.cincinnatichildrens.org/healthy-living/help-kids-learn-gratitude

This week on the podcast, Dr. Kara Ayers and Dr. Susan Wiley, faculty members in our Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, join us to talk about how parents can help their kids understand and learn about people who have disabilities. Listen in as Dr. Ayers and Dr. Wiley share their professional and personal experiences to describe how damaging stereotypes and certain words can be, how to ask respectful questions and help curious kids include others and learn that we all have differences. They also generously share additional resources that can help families who want to continue to learn and explore how they can be more inclusive, understanding and respectful. For more information on the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, please visit https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/d/developmental-behavioral For more information on the University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, please visit https://www.ucucedd.org/ To watch Scope’s End the Awkward videos, visit here: https://www.youtube.com/c/scopecharity/videos

Drs. Patty Manning-Courtney and Bob Frenck join us to provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. Join us as we answer parent questions about vaccine research, allergies and the vaccine, natural immunity, side effects and benefits of vaccination for children five and older. For more information on our vaccine clinics or to schedule a vaccination, visit https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/coronavirus-information/vaccines/schedule Click for frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

This week on the podcast, we talk to pediatric dentists, Drs. Giulia Castrigano and Patrick Ruck on all things oral health. Tooth decay is the most common disease in children, but the good news is, it is also preventable. Join us to discuss when kids should see a pediatric dentist, when to start brushing and brushing techniques, tooth decay, dental trauma, and more. This episode is loaded with lots of information to help maintain the health of your kiddo's teeth! Additional Resources Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property. This week’s episode discusses in-person bullying with Dr. Ryan Adams, PhD, Associate Professor. Our conversation includes the different types of bullying, the effects of bullying, what to do if your child is the bully, strategies that children can use if they witness bullying behavior, and so much more. Additional Resources: What to do When Your Child is the Bully Girls Guide to End Bullying Boys Guide to End Bullying For more facts about bullying, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/yv/Bullying-factsheet_508_1.pdf

This week on the podcast, we talk to Dr. Beverly Smolyansky about self-esteem in kids. Low self-esteem has the potential to lead to children engaging in negative behaviors and activities that could impact their quality of life. It is vital that parents nurture positive self-esteem to maintain a child’s overall health. Join us as we break down why self-esteem is important, how parents can help improve a child’s confidence, positive self-talk vs. negative self-talk, when and how parents should praise their child, behavior modeling, and so much more. Additional Resources: 5 Bigger-Picture Suggestions To Help Build Kids’ Self-Confidence American Psychological Association

Dr. Abigail Matthews, a clinical psychologist and associate director of the Eating Disorders program at Cincinnati Children’s, joins us to discuss her newest research on eating disorders and the effects the pandemic has had. We learn more about her study, discuss types of eating disorders, biological predisposition to disordered eating and the stressors that can cause a perfect storm for illness to develop. This is a must-listen episode, particularly for parents of tweens and teens. Resources: To learn more about the Eating Disorder Program, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/e/eating-disorders The National Eating Disorders Association https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

This week on the podcast, we talk to Dr. Mary Carol Burkhardt about respiratory syncytial virus, commonly known as RSV. Listen in as we break down the symptoms of RSV and thoughts on why we’re seeing it so early in the year, bronchiolitis, advice for parents who are feeling the stress of so many respiratory viruses circulating in the community, if and when parents should take their child to the doctor and symptoms of bronchiolitis that indicate an ED visit is necessary. This one is jam-packed with helpful information for every parent. For additional information on bronchiolitis and to see a helpful video that shows what retractions look like when an infant is in respiratory distress, please visit: https://blog.cincinnatichildrens.org/healthy-living/bronchiolitis-a-new-parents-guide-to-one-of-the-most-common-winter-illnesses/ For more FAQs on RSV, please visit: https://blog.cincinnatichildrens.org/safety-and-prevention/vaccines/6-rsv-faqs/

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34. September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and it is imperative to have conversations about mental illness and mental health. In this week's episode, we discuss suicide prevention with Dr. Courtney Cinko, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cincinnati Children's. Our conversation includes who is at risk for suicide, red flags parents should look for, how to have a conversation about suicide, resources, and so much more. To schedule an appointment with the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/p/psychiatry/programs To learn more about MindPeace, please visit: https://mindpeacecincinnati.com/ For additional resources for suicide prevention, please visit: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/suicide-prevention National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255