When children and teenagers are healthy, they are more likely to grow up to be healthy adults. Health care providers and parents get the opportunity to monitor a child’s growth and development, identify any concerns, and treat them early to prevent bigger problems later in life.
Comparing Adolescent Well-Child Visits & Sports Physicals
An annual well-child visit includes a comprehensive look at an adolescent’s overall health and well-being, while a sports physical only screens for medical conditions or injuries which may be affected by athletic activity. Well-child visits cover physical development, social competence, academic competence, emotional well-being, violence prevention, reproductive health, sexual education, and more. A well-child visit can double as a sports physical, but a sports physical cannot be considered a well-child visit.
Did you know? Most insurance companies fully cover well-child visits, and the visits last about 20 minutes.
Children 11 & Older
Tdap — Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis
MCV4 — Meningococcal
HPV — Human Papillomavirus
Flu — Seasonal Influenza
Healthy Lifestyles
- Physical Activity and Nutrition — HealthySD.gov and MyPlate.gov
- Take Charge of Your Health — HHS.gov
- When and How to Wash Your Hands — CDC.gov
Risk Reduction
- Tobacco — SDQuitLine.com
- Suicide — SDSuicidePrevention.org
Mental health conditions are common among teenagers and young adults. 1 in 5 lives with a mental health condition — half develop the condition by age 14 and three-quarters by age 24. If you see or hear signs that a teen you know is in crisis and/or struggling, learn what to do.
Learn More About Mental Health
SOURCE: NAMI South Dakota. (2019)
Older children can start taking charge of their own health by:
- Making their own appointments.
- Going to appointments by themselves or asking a parent or friend to go with them.
- Talking to the provider about their health problems and concerns.
- Writing down questions to ask their provider.
- Asking questions about the medicines they may need to take.
Keep adolescent smiles healthy with an annual dental exam and two teeth cleanings per year.
An annual eye exam is recommended to ensure all is right with their sight.
Annual Health Check-ups: 10-12 years | 13-20 years
Sports Physical vs. Well Visit
Depression: Is this a teen you know?
Health Tips for Graduates (CDC)
Immunization Fact Sheets for Preteens & Teens (CDC)
Teen Dental Health (ADA)
Adolescents and Young Adults: Do they still need a well visit? (NAHIC)
The Adolescent and Young Adult Well Visit: A Guide for Families (NAHIC)
Teen Health Services and One-On-One Time with a Healthcare Provider: An Infobrief for Parents (CDC)
Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers (HHS)
Take Charge of Your Healthcare – color | black & white (AdolescentHealthInitiative.org)
Health Care Transition Timeline for Youth and Young Adults (GotTransition.org)
Health Care Transition Youth and Young Adults (GotTransition.org)
Health Care Transition Parents and Caregivers (GotTransition.org)