9th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion

This year, the 9th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion will take place in Merida, Mexico on March 15-18, 2007. The conference will focus on the processes of globalization and its implications for injuries and violence. The main themes will be Violence and Traffic Accidents. Abstracts for the conference will be accepted until June 30, 2007. Registration information, abstract submission information, as well as general information is available at the website.

Click here to check out the website.

CIPN Evaluation Survey

Thursday May 31, 2007, is the last day to submit your CIPN Evaluation Survey and still be eligible for the drawing for one of three copies of "Injury Prevention and Public Health: Practical Knowledge, Skills and Strategies." If you have not received your survey by e-mail, please let us know by e-mailing us at injprevnetwork@sfdph.org. Thank you!

Study: Exercise Rejuvenates Muscles in Seniors

A study done on 25 seniors in Canada by Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky of McMaster University Medical Centre showed that weight training helped to reverse aging of muscle tissue in healthy senior citizens. The study had healthy seniors over 65 participate in a weight lifting program for 2 hours a week for 6 months. The study compared the tissue samples to that of healthy men and women in their 20's that did the exact same exercises.

The results of the study showed that prior to exercise training, the older adults were 59% weaker than the young adults. After the training, the older adults improved by about 50% and were only 38% weaker than the young adults. The genes and cellular material damaged by aging were rejuvenated in the weight-lifting seniors. The older adult muscles become similar to young adult muscle. Researchers believe that weight training encourages muscles to produce new healthy tissue which keep it young. This study just reinforces what we already know, that exercise is a major component in fall and injury prevention for seniors.

To read more on the study, click here

Signifigant Disparities in Fatal-Injury Rates Persist Between White and Minority Children

The most recent CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summary reports on a study on the disparities in fatal-injury rates among white and minority children. The study, which drew its data from the CDC's National Vital Statistics System for death certificates reported between 1999 to 2002, found that unintentional injury, homicide, and suicide were the 1st, 2nd, and 4th leading causes of death among persons aged 1-19 years, with minorities holding the highest rates.

Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders consistently had a lower risk for fatal injury than did whites but American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AIs/ANs) and blacks consistently had higher risks. Blacks and AIs/ANs infants younger than 1 year of age had consistently higher total injury death rates with more than twice the rate of injury deaths than whites. AI/AN infants had the highest MV traffic deaths while black infants had the highest unintentional suffocation and homicide rates. Among children aged 1 to 9 years of age, AIs/ANs had the highest rate of MV traffic deaths and drownings while blacks had the highest rates of homicide and fire/burn death. In the 10 to 19 year age group, AIs/ANs had the highest rates of suicide and MV traffic deaths while blacks had the highest rate of homicide.

The study found that the disparity in injury mortality rates by race/ethnicity from 1982-1985 has not lessened by 1999-2002. The authors urge future injury-prevention efforts that target the injury mechanisms most harmful to each minority in each age group by using culturally appropriate prevention messages and strategies to close the gap between whites and minorities.

To read the full report, click here.

Webinar: Emergency Preparedness

SOPHE is hosting an Emergency Preparedness and Response Webinar entitled "The Role of Helath Educators Responding to Public Health Emergencies." The purpose of the webinar is to provide information and resources to assist health education professionals to work alongside communication specialists in designing and disseminating the information necessary to protect public health and have an effective response to an emergency event.

The webinar is free but registration is required. The webinar will be held on Wednesday May 23, 2007 at 11:00 am Pacific Daylight Time.

Click here for more information about the webinar as well to register

Grant Opportunity: Kids Plates

The 2007-2008 Kids Plates Funding Opportunities are coming!

In Late June, the RFA's from Kids Plates will be released online at www.cippp.org Below is the announcement flyer (Click for a larger view) . More information as it becomes available.

Falls, disability and hunger are surprisingly common aspects of life for California seniors

The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research just released a policy brief stating that more than one out of five California seniors experience falls, disability, and hunger or a combination of the three. According to the brief, nearly 12% of Californians ages 65 and older have fallen more than once in the previous year; nearly 7% have some disability that requires special assistance for simple tasks such as eating, dressing or bathing; and 20% of low-income seniors consistently cannot afford to buy food.

Falls, disabilities and food insecurity are each, to an extent, preventable," said Steven P. Wallace, lead author of the brief and Associate Director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. "Policies and programs that help individuals address these issues can have a tremendous impact on the ability of older Californians to live independently longer." As the senior population in California begins to rise, it is important to see what health issues are impacting our seniors.

The data used in this study comes from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and represents the first time that this prevalence data has been available for California senior citizens.

To read more about the study. click here

To sign up for free updates from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and CHIS, click here.

SF Pedestrian Safety Workshop

San Francisco Pedestrian Safety Workshop

On June 25, 2007 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm

The San Francisco Public Library

100 Larkin Street, San Francisco

Latino/Hispanic Rooms

Free and Open to the Public

Free Lunch Included

RSVP required

At this workshop, participants will learn how to increase pedestrian safety in their neighborhood, contribute to the Better Streets Plan process, and hear about mini-grant funding opportunities on pedestrian safety. This year, we will have 2 dynamic speakers conducting the majority of the workshop. Paul Zykofsky of the Local Government Commission and Wendy Alfsen of California Walks will be leading an interactive workshop on pedestrian safety improvements that are applicable to San Francisco's neighborhoods. RSVP by June 15, 2007. Priority will be given to San Francisco residents and professionals. Below is the registration form, click for a larger view.

-For more information, contact Ana Validzic at 415-581-2478

Obesity Increase Risk of Injury on the Job

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy conducted a study in which they found that those employees who were classified as overweight or obese by BMI Standards (Body Mass Index- which calculates body fat using the person's height and weight) were more likely to suffer a traumatic workplace injury.

The study participants include 7,690 workers in various aluminum manufacturing plants across the country. Of the 7,690 workers included in the study, 29% were injured at least once between January 2, 2002, and December 31, 2004. Approximately 85% of the injured workers were classified as overweight or obese. More than 28% of injuries occurred among employees classified as overweight, 30% in the obese category and almost 34% in the severely obese category. The severely obese group also had the most injuries to the hand/wrist/finger (22%) when compared to the same injuries in the other weight categories.

The authors recommend obesity prevention programs to reduce workplace injury rates and work time loss.

To read more about the study, click here

Airbags May Be Dangerous for Small and Tall People

Craig Newgard, MD, Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine and Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, authored the study, "Stature, Body Weight and Serious Injury from Air Bags Among Adult Drivers and Passengers Involved in Motor Vehicle Crashes." The study analyzed crash data for over 65,000 front-seat occupants and found that airbags, while effective for people of medium stature (5’3” to 5’11”) were actually harmful to people smaller than 4’11” and taller than 6’3”.

Body weight was not a contributing factor to injury rates. Since many “smart” airbags use body weight to determine how the airbag deploys, these data suggest that a new method needs to be found. According to the author, “In this 11-year sample of drivers and front passengers, occupants of small and large stature appeared to be at risk of serious injury from an air bag. These findings suggest that to maximize safety such occupants should not be seated in front of an air bag when traveling in a motor vehicle.”

To read the full text, click here

Female Auto Crashes on the Rise

Although males have tended to be associated with alcohol-related crashes, a study to be presented at the 2007 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Annual Meeting shows that young females are beginning to show an alarming increase in fatal automobile crashes related to alcohol use and a failure to use seatbelts.

The study, led by Virginia W. Tsai MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, showed that over a 10 year period (1995-2004) females began to “catch up” to males in risky behaviors and while seatbelt use increased for both males and females, the increase for women was smaller. When combined with other factors such as cell phone use while driving and distractions from other teenagers in the car, the trends for young women are not positive. According to Dr. Tsai, "Young females should not be overlooked or underestimated in risky driving habits and involvement in alcohol-related crashes. ED staff should consider the teachable moment when they come across the young person involved in a crash no matter if they are male or female. They are both at considerable risk for serious and fatal crashes especially if there is alcohol involved. While they may be in the ED for a minor crash…the time and conversation the staff may have with them in the ED may save their lives."

To read the full study, click here

Click it or Ticket Campaign- May 21 - June 3, 2007

During 2005, motor-vehicle crashes resulted in 33,041 deaths to vehicle occupants (excluding motorcyclists), and nearly 3 million occupants were treated for injuries in emergency departments in the United States Safety belts, child safety seats, and booster seats can prevent serious injury and death during a crash.

Despite the demonstrated effectiveness of occupant restraints in motor vehicles, millions of adults and children travel unrestrained. Click It or Ticket, May 21--June 3, 2007, is a national campaign that is coordinated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to increase the proper use of safety belts and child restraints. Law-enforcement agencies nationwide will participate by conducting intensive, high-visibility enforcement of safety belt and child restraint laws.

For more information on the Click it or Ticket Campaign, click here

For additional information on child passenger safety, click here

For information on preventing motor-vehicle crash injuries, click here

First 5 Launches Spanish Language Kit for New Parents

The redesigned Spanish-language version of the Kit for New Parents is here!

With 50 percent of babies born to Latino parents in California each year, the free Kit will help Latino parents and caregivers best prepare for their newborns. The kit is filled with advice and useful tips, such as information on nutrition, safety, quality child care, health, discipline and early learning. It provides practical information in an easy-to-use manner and can help build parents' confidence as they undertake their new role. The Kit has been completely revised and updated to include a DVD, user-friendly improvements, the latest early childhood development information, and a fresh look.

The Kit also contains the easy-to-read books "Advice for New Parents," and "What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick," as well as "Puppy and Friends," an interactive book for parents and children to enjoy together.

First 5 California has partnered with First 5 County Commissions, hospitals, clinics, county agencies, home visitation programs and parenting education classes to distribute the Kit to new parents across the state. Parents and caregivers can also receive a free Kit by calling 1-800-50-NIÑOS.

For more information about the kit as well as photos, click here.

AJPH: Differences in Frequency of Violence and Reported Injury between Relationships with Reciprocal and Nonreciprocal Intimate Partner Violence

In the May edition of the American Journal of Public Health, a study was published examining the prevalence of reciprocal (i.e. penetrated by both partners) and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence and whether or not reciprocity affects violence frequency and injury.

The study reported that almost 24% of all relationships had some violence, and half (49.7%) of those relationships were reciprocally violent. In nonreciprocal relationships, women (70%) were the perpetrators. With reciprocity, women were associated with more frequent violence but the men were not. In reciprocal violence, escalation tends to occur when one partner retaliates against the other, and injury becomes more likely with each blow. Relationships where there is reciprocal violence leads to a greater frequency of violence as well as greater injury.

The authors urge more research, prevention, and treatment approaches to examine the specific context of partner violence in order to improve prevention efforts. This including understanding the distal and immediate causes and motives that lead to partner violence.

To read the full study, click here (Must be a subscriber to AJPH)

Job Opportunity: Safe Routes to Schools Director

TALC is hiring a Safe Routes to Schools Director - spread the word!

The Transportation and Land Use Coalition (TALC) is hiring a full-time director for the new Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools Partnership. The Partnership includes TALC, the Alameda County Public Health Department, and Cycles of Change. It will work to promote safe walking and biking to school to improve children's health, safety, and mobility, strengthen communities, reduce automobile trips, and improve air quality in school neighborhoods. The program is part of the nationwide Safe Routes to Schools movement and will be one of the few programs in an urban area.

To learn more about the position, click here

SafeKids State Rankings on Summer Injuries

An average of 17 children die each day of an injury in the United States during the summer. The most common injury deaths are caused by drowning (which increases 89% in the summer over the annual monthly average), biking, falls, motor vehicle passenger injuries, and pedestrian injuries, making summer the most dangerous season for child injuries.

SafeKids released their first ever report ranking all 50 states and the District of Columbia according to the number of summertime accidental injury deaths per 100,000 children (ages 0 to 14) in their state, and the change in that rate over a five-year period (the average annual death rate for 1997-1999 vs. the average annual death rate for 2002-2004).

The highest ranked state was Vermont with a rate of 1.63 deaths per 100,000 while Wyoming was the lowest ranked state with 8.27 deaths per 100,000. California ranked #10 with 2.59 deaths per 100,000.

For more information and to view the full report, click here

Job Opportunity: Health Education Supervisor

-Job #:070134
-Project/Department: Public Health Projects - CDLHN
-Job Title: Health Education Supervisor
-Position Located: in Richmond, California
-FTE Percent: 100% with benefits
-Advertised Salary: $4674 - $5681/per month

-Job Responsibilities: Under the general direction of the Immunization Branch Chief and Information and Education Section Chief, the candidate manages educational and promotional campaigns to increase adult vaccination, provides DHS liaison to the California Adult Immunization Coalition, and supervises health educators and health education assistants responsible for childhood and adolescent immunization awareness campaign activities and special events as described below. Plan/create budgets, develop/implement/evaluate statewide immunization education projects to improve immunization levels of California's adults. (Complete job description available on website)

-Minimum Qualifications: Master's Degree + four years experience in similar field with supervisory responsibility for a major communications, social marketing, or health promotion program. Ability to implement social marketing and/or health promotion campaigns including research/needs assessment, analysis, and evaluation. Experience managing health education projects; creating and writing press releases and publicity materials; conducting conference workshops and training programs. Team player. Strong oral and written skills. Proven organizational skills.

To apply for this position or to view the complete job description, follow this pathway:

-Go to http://www.foundation.sdsu.edu/
-Click on the gray tab labeled Employment Opportunities
-Click on “Search Jobs”
-Remember, the job # is 070134

Heat Illness Prevention Seminars- May thru June 2007

This seminar is provided by the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service and State Compensation Insurance Fund and is designed to inform California employers and their supervisors about Heat Illness Prevention. Learn how heat illness prevention applies to employees and how you can meet the Cal/OSHA standard by updating and implementing your Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to reflect the new requirements. The workshop will include a presentation on Heat Illness Prevention and the importance of having an effective IIPP. By the end of the 1 hour seminar, you will:

-Understand California’s Heat Illness Prevention regulation, and how you can comply.
-Learn what you must do to protect your employees.
-Update your IIPP with the Heat Illness Prevention requirements:
-Identify and evaluate the “hazard" (e.g. heat exposure and other risk factors).
-Provide a “control” for the hazard (e.g. water, shade, and rest breaks).
-Implement a emergency action response plan (including emergency medical services).
-Train your employees to recognize heat illness (e.g. prevention and remedy).

Various Training sites throughout California are available and offered in English or Spanish. Click here to view the dates and site of the seminars.

Funding Opportunity: Archstone Foundation

The Archstone Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) entitled California Senior Fall Prevention Projects – Phase Two, part of the Foundation’s five-year Fall Prevention Initiative to reduce the risk of falls in the elderly. The timeline for this funding opportunity is as follows:

May 22, 2007 - Applicant Informational Teleconference (RSVP Required)
June 29, 2007 - Proposals Due
July – August, 2007 - Proposal Review Process and Site Visits
September 21, 2007 - Approval and Notification of Awards
October 1, 2007 - Grant Funding Begins

The RFP and updates about the Fall Prevention Initiative can be found at our Web site at http://www.archstone.org/ or at the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence Web site at http://www.stopfalls.org/.

CIPN Evaluation Survey Reminder

Please check your e-mail and fill out the CIPN Evaluation survey if you have not already done so. We need your feedback so that we can improve our site and blog to better serve your needs. So far we have gotten some great ideas about improving the site but we want to hear from more of you. As an incentive for filling out the survey, each member who returns a survey is eligible to win one of three copies of Injury Prevention and Public Health: Practical Knowledge, Skills, and Strategies. (Picture below) This is a great book for injury prevention professionals, students, and anyone interested in injury prevention. To find out more about the book, visit our resources page under publications or click here. We will announce the winners at the end of May so get your survey in ASAP! Thank you to those who have already sent in your survey. :)

Once you have completed the survey please return by e-mail or fax the survey to 415-581-2490. If you have any problems accessing the survey, please call 415-581-2456 (Vanessa Jew, CIPN project assistant) or e-mail vanessa.jew@sfdph.org. Thank you.

Increase in Nonfatal Ladder Injuries

The May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reports on a 16 year study from 1990-2005 on the trend in nonfatal ladder injuries on a national level. The study finds that there has been a 50% increase in the rate of ladder injuries since 1990. The injuries occurred predominately in non-occupational settings and had a high likelihood of hospital admission. Males were the predominant sex injured and fractures was the most common injury for hospital admission. These ladder injuries also have a long term impact on the victims, as the injuries may require future surgeries, rehabilitation, lifelong arthritis, and chronic pain. The studies authors urge for stronger prevention and educational interventions to help reverse the rise in ladder injuries.

To read the full journal article, click here (must have subscription)

New study group raises Capitol Hill's awareness of public health

Launched in February, the new Congressional Study Group on Public Health, will sponsor educational briefings on Capitol Hill to inform members of Congress and their staff about the diverse and important work of public health professionals as well as the health protection efforts they undertake. Among the group's goals will be to sponsor bi-monthly seminars on a wide range of public health topics. The study group hopes to partner with the CDC and other health agencies to provide congressional leaders a more complete understanding of the important health efforts being made. For more information on the study group, call (202) 225-6101 or visit http://www.apha.org/

Webinar: "Putting Home Safety to Work"

On Wednesday May 16, 2007, 1-2pm EDT, the Home Safety Council (HSC) will host the webinar: "Putting Home Safety to Work."

The HSC encourages families to take some simple hands-on steps to create a safer home environment from such leading hazards as falls, fires and burns, poisonings, chocking/suffocation and drownings. The webinar will demonstrate how to best implement a home safety program within your work place and/or community during June (Hands on Home Safety Month) and beyond.

Speakers include Home Safety Council President, Meri-K Appy and Director of Education and Outreach, Dr. Angela Mickalide. Join the webinar to be one of the first to hear the results of HSC's latest research, learn how to effectively use the Hands on Home Safety Month materials available to you, and get idea-starters from corporations and fire departments that have successfully implemented home safety campaigns.

To register and attend the webinar, click here.