Center for Injury Research and Policy - Impact of Our Research

IMPACT OF OUR RESEARCH

A world leader in pediatric injury research, the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) works to reduce death and disability due to injuries through research, education, advocacy and advances in clinical care. Effects of the research conducted at CIRP can be felt at local, national and global levels. From design changes in consumer products to new public policy, CIRP's influence is leading the way to a safer world.

COLUMBUS YOUTH HELMET ORDINANCE

Research has shown that bicycle helmets can lower the risk of brain injury during a bicycle crash by up to 88%. To promote safe riding practices in Columbus, the Center for Injury Research and Policy worked with the Columbus Bicycle Safety Coalition and Columbus City Council Member Charleta Tavares to advocate for the passage of a helmet ordinance requiring Columbus children 1 to 18 years to wear a helmet when they ride bicycles, non-motorized scooters, skateboards, roller skates and in-line skates. The ordinance was unanimously approved by City Council in July 2008.

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CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION ON PEDIATRIC TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Every year, there are approximately 12,500 deaths, 80,000 hospitalizations and 643,000 emergency room visits related to pediatric traumatic brain injury (PTBI) for children and young adults ages 25 years and younger in the United States. Research from the Center for Injury Research and Policy related to the health care burden of PTBI was cited in the Congressional Resolution on Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury in October 2009. This resolution (1) recognizes that Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI) is the leading cause of death and disability in the United States for children and young adults from birth up to 25 years of age, (2) endorses the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan as the method to prevent future injuries and treat those currently suffering from a PABI, and (3) encourages all Federal, State and local governments to implement the PABI plan.

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EBAY POLICY CHANGES

The Center for Injury Research and Policy's examination of the eBay website revealed that during a one-month period, 190 eBay auctions contained or were suspected to contain a recalled childrens product or toy. Approximately 70% of these auctions resulted in a sale (Injury Prevention, August 2007). Following publication of this article, eBay announced it would send warning notices to people who post recalled items in an attempt to end the sale of these items. In addition, further violations of the recall policy could result in the seller losing the right to list products on eBay. The company is also providing shoppers with links to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website so shoppers can check if a product has been recalled.

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GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON CONCUSSION IN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES
Each year, over 7 million adolescents pursue their athletic dreams by participating in high school sports. Unfortunately, these athletes suffer an alarming 1.4 million painful injuries per year, many of which could be prevented. On May 20, 2010, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) presented a report on concussion in high school athletes to the House of Representatives, Committee on Education and Labor. The report focuses on (1) what is known about the nationwide occurrence of concussion, (2) federal concussion prevention programs, (3) the components of key state laws related to the management of concussion, and (4) voluntary nationwide concussion management guidelines. Dr. Dawn Comstock provided information on concussion to the GAO during their drafting of the report. Dr. Comstock’s work on concussions was prominently featured in the report, and High School RIO™ was referenced as one of only three surveillance systems capturing any data on concussions and the only one capturing concussions in high school athletes from which national estimates can be calculated.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME-PLAY CHANGES

In the summer of 2007, the National Federation of State High School Associations rules committee was considering moving the place of the kickoff for high school football. The proposed move would align the high school kickoff placement with that of the collegiate kickoff placement. It was thought that the move would result in fewer balls going into the end zone, which would result in more runbacks and thus a more exciting and higher scoring games. When making the decision, the rules committee examined the data from the 2006-2007 High School RIO™ Program to determine the implications this change would have on players. Upon review, the committee determined that moving back the kickoff placement would likely result in an increased risk of injury for high school football players. The committee ultimately decided against changing the rules as a result of having the data available to make an informed decision.

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ILLNESS SURVEILLANCE COLLABORATION WITH CDC

Funded by the American Camp Association, the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) monitors illness and injury among campers and staff at U.S. summer camps and identifies risk and protective factors associated with such adverse events through the Healthy Camp Study. In the summer of 2009, CIRP collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding national concern about the H1N1 virus. By providing the CDC with weekly sentinel surveillance reports of illnesses consistent with influenza at camps across the country, CIRP contributed to national understanding of the epidemiology of the virus.

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OHIO BOOSTER SEAT LAW

Research shows that children who use booster seats are 59% less likely to be injured in a motor vehicle crash than those using seat belts alone. In support of a proposed booster seat law in Ohio, several faculty and staff members from the Center for Injury Research and Policy spoke at an Ohio Statehouse press conference in September 2007 as child passenger safety experts. The law, which requires children between 4 and 8 years of age and under the height of 4'9" (57 inches) traveling in a vehicle to ride in a booster seat, passed and went into effect in October 2009.

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PROVIDING DATA FOR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HEARINGS
In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed in recognition of the need to make children’s products safer. In February 2011, industry leaders argued that it was time to roll back the landmark safety protections for children’s products while injury prevention and child safety advocates called for increased enforcement of safety standards related to these products. A house committee hearing was scheduled with the Consumer Product Safety Commission for February 17th, 2011 to hear arguments from both sides. Upon learning about the hearing, the American Academy of Pediatrics decided to move up the release date for a study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy that had been scheduled for release on February 20th, 2011. Child safety advocates used data from the paper to present new evidence during the hearing that would support the need to keep the existing safety protections in place. The paper, which was published online in the journal Pediatrics, examined crib-, playpen- and bassinet-related injuries.

RIO™ DATA USED IN HIGH SCHOOL FIELD HOCKEY POLICY CHANGE
Each year in the U.S., over 64,000 student-athletes participate in high school field hockey, and these athletes are at risk of severe eye injury from contact with the stick and/or ball. While protective eyewear for field hockey players is readily available, its use has not been mandatory. However, after considering data from Dr. Dawn Comstock’s High School RIO™ surveillance system, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announced a new national safety policy on April 15, 2011. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, all high school students participating in field hockey in the U.S. will be required to use protective eyewear. This is a great example of how research can be translated into real world action to prevent injury.

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