Seattle/LocalHealthGuide

Parents magazine has ranked Seattle Children’s the 13th top children’s hospital in the country. 
The ranking was based on a 250-questions survey filled out by 75 children’s hospitals. 
The survey asked the hospitals about such issues as survival rates, number of complex procedures performed, research studies, staff qualifications, and safeguards to prevent medical errors.
Among specialties, Seattle Children’s [...]

Accidents are the leading cause of death and injury among children in the United States, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention.
On average, more than 12,000 children aged 0 to 19 die each year because of accidents, the report finds.

Motor-vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death, [...]

The distributer of four cocoa products has issued a recall after samples have found to contain melamine.
Melamine is a nitrogen-containing compound used for a variety of industrial uses.
It is potentially poisonous and is not allowed in food in the U.S.A.
The products had been distributed to Big Lots and Shopko retail outlets.
The recalled products are:

G&J Hot Cocoa [...]

Health services for adolescents are often highly fragmented, poorly coordinated, and ill-suited for the needs of many young people, according to a new report.
Adolescents who are poor, recent immigrants to the U.S., from racial or ethnic minorities, or who are gay, bisexual or transgender are particularly at risk, the report says.
The report, “Adolescent Health Services: [...]

[ December 15, 2008; 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm. ] The Northeast Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking will hold a General Coalition Meeting, Monday, December 15th from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Eckstein High School (3003 NE 75th StreetSeattle, WA 98115)

The two-year-old organization works to prevent underage drinking, substance abuse, and associated problems through education, counseling, and workshops for students, teachers, parents and families.

The Coalition [...]

The Northeast Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking will hold a General Coalition Meeting, Monday, December 15th from 12:45 to 2 p.m. at Eckstein High School (3003 NE 75th Street, Seattle, WA 98115)
The two-year-old organization works to prevent underage drinking, substance abuse, and associated problems through education, counseling, and workshops for students, teachers, parents [...]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention has produced an animated video series to encourage Native American children to be active and eat right to reduce their risk of developing diabetes.
 
The series of four videos are based on the four Eagle Books written by Georgia Peres of Nambe Pueblo and illustrated by Partick [...]

Despite recent legislation to keep dangerous toys off the market, many hazardous toys are still available on store shelves, warns the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer activist organization.
My Binky: recalled due to choking hazard
The reason? Many of the new law’s protections [...]

Air on Seattle school buses contains considerably more harmful airborne particles than the surrounding outside air, researchers at the University of Washington report.
In the study, the researchers measured levels of small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can release harmful chemicals and have been linked to respiratory diseases and other health [...]

   Varicella (Chickenpox) Virus

An outbreak of chickenpox has hit Salem Woods Elementary School in Monroe, Washington, and Snohomish Health Officials say children who have not been fully immunized against chickenpox should stay home.
To date, sixteen children have come down with the highly contagious viral infection. 
“Although generally a mild illness,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Health officer and [...]