September is a month where children go back-to-school and also the month for the USPS to promote social issues. Social awareness stamps have been a major part of the stamp release program here in the United States since the mid-1950′s. Stamps like Sickle Cell Disease, AIDs, and others have been placed in the eyes of the public and not to be forgotten. Most American’s will see the Child Health stamp, as 65-million will be released.
This years Child Health stamp has more to it than a a silhouette of a physician placing a stethoscope on a child’s chest. Each side of the selvage has the following text: Caring for Our Future (top), Balanced Diet and Exercise (left), Car Seats Each Time (right), and Regular Medical Checkups (bottom). This is being called the “four cornerstones to a healthy childhood” by the USPS stamp release program. The USPS had this to say about the selvage text:
“Always use a car safety seat. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children ages 5 to 9. Children should ride in an age-, weight-, and height-appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, correctly installed in the back seat, on every trip. Many local fire and police departments will help answer questions about how to install your child-safety seat or booster seat.
A balanced diet and exercise maximizes the likelihood of a child growing up healthy and strong. Children should be provided with three nutritious meals a day, with fruits and vegetables, supplemented with two healthy snacks a day. Meals should be shared as a family. Children should be offered nutritious foods and should decide how much to eat. Foods and drinks that are high in sugar or caffeine should be avoided. Encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, like taking a walk around the block or playing organized or pick-up sports with other families and children. Limit television, video, and computer time.
Diseases of adulthood, such as diabetes and hypertension, often start in childhood. Therefore, keeping children well now means caring for the future.”
