New program helps with health education

By Lori O'Brien

Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD Major health issues facing children in Western Massachusetts are the focus of a unique series of health education books available for families across the region.

The Whiz Kidz series was created by Health New England (HNE) collaborators in response to a lack of health education information for elementary school children, according to Lynn Ostrowski, Director, Community Relations, HNE. HNE is a health maintenance organization (HMO), licensed in Massachusetts, with offices in the downtown area.

"The Whiz Kidz series provides children with important health information in a fun way, while engaging their parents as well," said Ostrowski during an interview with Reminder Publications.

Through this creative and colorful approach, children learn healthy lifestyle habits they will take with them into adulthood, with the added benefit of improving the overall health of the family, according to Ostrowski.

The series was launched in 2002 with the first book in the series titled "How ACE Became An Asthma Control Expert." Additions to the series include "Seymour's Weight Loss Challenge," and "Danny Dice Diabetes Insulin Control Expert."

Ostrowski explained that HNE reviewed the claims data within its health plan and examined the available public health data specific to children.

"The series began with a focus on asthma and today includes a focus on weight control with 'Seymour's Weight Loss Challenge,' a focus on diabetes with 'Danny Dice,' a diabetes insulin control expert, and soon to be released are two books, one on sports safety, 'Sammie Sportz,' and one on nutrition, 'Rusty Sprout.'"

Ostrowski explained it is "extremely important" for parents to be actively involved with the health habits of their children.

"Parents provide reminders, support, and encouragement to their children," she said, adding, "most importantly, they are the child(ren)'s strongest role model. Together they are able to make changes for the whole family."

The books are unique in many ways, according to Ostrowski. The emphasis of each of the books is to educate the parent and child and to provide them with easy-to-understand health information. Each book also provides actions that are fun and engaging for the child and parent.

Ostrowski uses as an example how "ACE" features a sticker sheet that is explained through the story. There is a sticker for each type of medication or device that a child with asthma may need the long-term medicine is the "Magic Potion," the rescue medicine is a "Magic Wand," the Prednisone is the "Mega-Magic Potion," the peak flow meter is the "Crystal Ball," and the nebulizer is named Neb U. Lizer, a friend. The stickers can be placed on the child's medication bottles to help teach them appropriate use.

Additionally, the book "Seymour's Weight Loss Challenge" comes with a dry erase board for tracking the number of servings and serving sizes, exercise, and goal setting for the entire family.

"Every book has something to engage the child and the parent together," said Ostrowski.

The majority of the collaborators on the Whiz Kidz series are HNE associates, and each book in the series has had a variety of collaborators on the writing team. In addition, each book also has had a different group of physician reviewers dependent upon the health issue topic. To ensure a child's perspective was also taken into consideration, a host of "junior editors," children of HNE associates between the ages of five and 12, reviewed the books and gave their opinion on content.

Future Whiz Kidz topics will include self-esteem, stranger danger and nutrition.

In a partnership with the Springfield Public Schools, both the asthma and weight control books have been donated to the fourth grades of all the schools for use in health classes, according to Ostrowski.

Materials are also available for physicians and schools outside of the HNE network, and bulk pricing is available.

For more information on the Whiz Kidz series, visit www.hnewhizkidz.com, or to order books, visit www.hnestore.com, or call (413) 233-3079 or (888) 886-3079.