summer meals | gutsandgrowth

As usual, I learned a great deal from our recent governing board meeting of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics ((AAP). Here are some notes, including nutrition committee notes at the bottom of this post. Though not intentional, some important material is likely to have been omitted; in addition, transcription errors are possible as well.

Influenza This Year –Harry Keyserling:

85% of pediatric deaths have occurred in those without influenza vaccine. The vaccine, even when not stopping the influenza (lower efficacy this year), lowers the risk of death. Probably 50-60% of all Georgia kids are immunized against the flu and there is a higher rate of immunization (~75%) in younger age (~75%)
‘We are not seeing Tamiflu resistance with this year’s strain’
53 pediatric deaths this year at this point (2/3/18)
Children attending public schools have higher rates of vaccination than children attending private schools

Amy Jacobs, Commissioner of Ga Dept of Early Care & Learning (DECAL)

decal.ga.gov Website is resource for child care and sponsored meals
Georgia Pre-K now in 25^th
QualityRated.org Useful website for identifying high quality child care
~50,000 children supported with scholarships for childhood care caps.decal.ga.gov 833-442-2277
Text “FOODGA” to 877-877 Summer Meal Programs or Call toll free 855-550-7377

Project S.A.V.E. –Robert Campbell, Richard Lamphier

Started in 2004 with the mission of promoting and improving prevention of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in children, adolescents and others in Georgia communities.. Website: Project S.A.V.E.
Primary prevention: pediatric office, preparticipation physical exams
Secondary prevention: after cardiac arrest –emergency action plan
- Where’s the nearest AED? (Mr. Lamphier’s car). At our office, GI Care For Kids’ AED –>Formula closet/Stan’s dictation area
- Is there a plan if an emergency occurs? Name of building, address. Any barriers?
- Almost always someone is willing to donate AED (~$700) -not a lot of money, this is a process issue much more than a financial one
- If you wait for an ambulance (~10 minutes) with SCA, you probably won’t need an ambulance –the patient will not survive
There are fire drills –last death from fire in Georgia School in 1950s. Schools need emergency action plans in place. For AEDs to be useful, there is a need for them to be accessible; thus, schools may need to have them in multiple locations. About 15 pediatric cardiac arrests (data not formally collected) per year in Georgia.