As summer comes to a close, families are getting ready for a new school year. Here are steps parents and caregivers can take to help children feel physically, emotionally, and mentally prepared for the year ahead.
Safety First
Whether walking, biking, or riding the bus, children should know how to get to and from school safely. Remind children to follow traffic signals, use crosswalks, and stay alert. Children who ride bikes should wear a properly fitted helmet. Reflective clothing or accessories can help children be seen when it is dark outside.
Younger children may need an adult to go with them, while older
Friday
• Posted by Dr. Sharon McLaughlin, Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director
• in
Children's Health,
Health and Wellness,
Immunizations
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It’s a time to highlight the important role vaccines play in protecting individuals, families, and communities. Vaccines are one of the safest and most effective ways to prevent serious diseases and reduce their spread.
Childhood immunizations protect against serious diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, Hepatitis A and B, and more. These vaccines help children stay healthy and provide protection as they grow into adulthood. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a recommended schedule that you can view here.
Vaccinations are not just for children. Staying up to date with recommended vaccines is also important
8/3/2026
• Posted by Fidelis Care
• in
Health and Wellness
During National Health Center Week from August 2 to 8, Fidelis Care recognizes the community health centers that help New Yorkers access the care they need to live healthier lives. Across cities, suburbs, and rural areas, these organizations provide quality healthcare, connect people with important resources, and help improve the health of their communities.
7/22/2026
• Posted by Fidelis Care
• in
Children's Health,
Health and Wellness
Learning to swim is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Drowning is among the leading causes of death for children ages 1-4, with most of these incidents occurring in the family’s own pool.
Luckily, children can start swim lessons as early as 6-12 months old. We know finding budget-friendly options can be challenging, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the free and discounted swim lesson options around New York State.
Check in with your local YMCA or parks department for additional help.
Free/Discounted Swim Lesson Resources:
City Swim Project, based in Buffalo, offers free swim lessons
7/20/2026
• Posted by Fidelis Care
• in
Children's Health,
Health and Wellness
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is an important part of staying healthy. They provide our bodies helpful nutrients like vitamins, minerals and fiber.
You may have seen news reports about an illness called cyclosporiasis. People can get cyclosporiasis after eating food or drinking water that has a tiny germ in it. Sometimes, this can happen with fresh produce.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are still healthy choices. You can lower your risk of getting sick by washing, peeling and cooking them.
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptom is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms may include:
Loss of appetite
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Tiredness
Weight
6/2/2026
• Posted by Fidelis Care
• in
Health and Wellness,
Men's Health
Having open conversations about health can make a big difference and help break the stigma around asking for help or going to the doctor. Men’s Health Month is a perfect time to remind men and boys that taking care of both physical and mental health is important.
Why Preventive Care Matters
Many health problems can be treated more easily when they are found early. That’s why regular checkups and screenings are important.
“A common myth I hear is, ‘If I feel fine, I don’t need to see a doctor,’” Senior Medical Director Dr. Jermel Hawkins said. “This is untrue. Many diseases are silent
5/11/2026
• Posted by Dr. Sharon McLaughlin, Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director
• in
Health and Wellness
Skin cancer often starts quietly. It may look like a small mole, a spot that does not heal, or a change in skin color. Most of the time, it does not hurt. That makes it easy to ignore. But skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world, and cases continue to rise. This is why awareness and early action matter.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to remind people how common skin cancer is and how important it is to protect your skin and check it often. At Fidelis Care, this message aligns
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