PEDIATRIC HEALTH ASSOCIATES

The cost of cigarettes has sky-rocketed.   As expected, this has caused revenue for tobacco companies to decline here in the U.S.   In an effort to recapture sales, e-cigarettes are now on the market and promoted as a cleaner and cheaper alternative to use.   While regular cigarettes cannot be advertised on television, e-cigarette ads are common.   Still a relatively new alternative, use of electronic cigarettes has already doubled in one year (2011-2012) among middle school and high school students.   Although the percentage of those using e-cigarettes is still in the minority (1.8 million young people), many young people see their popularity as a symbol of being cool and adult. E-cigarettes use liquid nicotine as the inhaler.    Because there is no tobacco in them, they are exempt from tobacco laws.   Regulation has yet to ban them from being used indoors and advertisers use a macho or sexy image to sell.   About half the states currently...

Our annual flu clinic is now open for commercial pay patients. For our Medicaid/AllKids and uninsured patients who are in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, we are awaiting our shipment of flu vaccine from the state and will update the blog when we have received them. You may schedule an appointment for the flu clinic by calling the office at 630-717-2300 . These clinics are designed for flu shots only and are scheduled with a nurse. If your child is sick, needs a checkup or needs other vaccinations please let the receptionist know when you are scheduling. *************** Timothy Wall, MD Health care reform will affect all of us, both as patients and as providers. Dr. Wall will be speaking about health care reform Thursday, September 19th at Willis Tower in Chicago . As one of the largest pediatric practices in the Chicago area, Dr. Wall will discuss what providers need to know in order to remain independent. As you know, many physicians’ practices are being boug...