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Injury Prevention in the News
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With graduation season and the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day, upon us we are reminded of the importance of buckling up. These festive times mean we are spending more time in the car traveling to celebrations with friends and family. The law is Click It or Ticket. If you aren't wearing your seatbelt you are putting yourself and everyone in your vehicle in danger. May 16-30, 2016 there will be an increase in law enforcement to crack down on motorists' lack of seat belt use. We would like to remind you to to
Click It or Ticket
.
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2014 Nonfatal Injury Data Now Available
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The CDC recently updated the Web-based Inquiry Statistics Query Reporting System (WISQARS) to include the 2014 nonfatal injury data. It's an interactive, online database that provides fatal and nonfatal injury data. The new data are available in the Nonfatal Injury and Leading Causes of Nonfatal Injury modules of
WISQARS
.
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More Kids are Getting Sick from Laundry Pods
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Toxic exposures to laundry pods are increasing for children. Across the United States there have been almost 3,000 exposures this year. In 2015 there were 118 calls about laundry pods to the Nebraska Regional Poison Center.
"
The laundry packets that a lot of consumers buy now are very colorful. They are small in shape and size.They look a lot like candy,” Department of Health and Human Services Safe Kids Coordinator Jason Kerkman told KLKN.
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Ashley Newmyer Receives Rising Star Award
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Each year, Safe States recognizes new professionals making strides in the discipline of injury and violence prevention. The Rising Star Award recognizes individuals who have been working in the field for less than five years.
Ashley Newmyer, an Epidemiology Surveillance Coordinator in Public Health at DHHS, received a special award. She was one of seven people who was recognized by the Safe States Alliance for her exceptional contributions to injury and violence prevention. Ashley received the award for her invaluable epidemiologic and data analysis work within the department, particularly her efforts surrounding the enhancement of the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
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Child Passenger Safety Technician Training in Nebraska
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May is Bicycle Safety Month, and Wednesday May 4th, is Bike to School Day.
More children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms for injuries related to biking than any other activity. Helmets reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88%.
Only 45% of children under 14 wear bike helmets.
Visit SafeKids.org to learn tips to keep kids safe when they are biking.
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Safety in Seconds: Bike Helmet Fit Test
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The video below teaches you how to properly fit a bike helmet for a child or adult.
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Motorcyclists have the same rights as any motorist on the roadway. The focus of Motorcycle Safety Month is to remind drivers to "Share the Road" with motorcyclists. A few tips include:
- Signal before changing lanes or merging into traffic. It gives motorcyclists the chance to anticipate your movement and move out of the way.
- Always look for motorcyclists by checking your blind mirrors and blindspots before switching to another lane in traffic.
-Many motorcycles' turn signals are not self-canceling. This means that they must be turned off manually, and the motorcyclist could have forgotten to turn it off.
-Keep a safe, 3 or 4 second, distance when following a motorcycle.
Motorcyclist are reminded to make themselves visible to others on the road by using reflective tape and gear and wear a DOT-compliant helmet. Also, never drive impaired or distracted.
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History of Falling Increases Crash Risk by 40% for Older Drivers
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A AAA Foundation study suggests that older drivers, with a history of falling, are 40% more likely to be involved in crashes than their peers. Annually 12 million older adults experience a fall. "Drivers age 60 and older are involved in more than 400,000 crashes each year, and it's important we find ways to keep them and others safe on the road," President and CEO of AAA Foundation said.
Read the entire press release
here.
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Seat Belt Use in Nebraska
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Seat belt use is the single most effective means of reducing motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths. The Seat Belt Use In Nebraska information sheet compares the outcomes of those wearing a seat belt to those not.
Seat Belt Use in Nebraska
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Tai Chi Could Be A Healthy Move for Your Heart
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Tai chi and other traditional Chinese exercises may benefit people with heart disease. Investigators found that among people with heart disease, low-risk activities such as tai chi help lower blood pressure and levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
The article can be found
here.
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New Blood Test Could Detect Concussions
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In a study published in JAMA Neurology, scientists are optimistic that a blood test could distinguish more serious cases of TBI that require further evaluation. Two blood proteins have already been linked to brain injury. This study expands on that work by studying how the levels of these proteins change immediately after head trauma.
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School Athletes Often Lack Adequate Protection
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There is no nationwide guidelines to protect high school athletes from injury. Instead individual states and the school systems within them adopt policies and practices that help assure the safety of children. However, according to the National Athletic Trainers' Association, most states and schools do not have strong enough safety measures in place.
In an effort to address this issue, a new program, the Collaborative Solutions for Safety in Sport, as created by the National Athletic Trainers' Association in conjunction with the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine has been created. They are focusing on the leading causes of sports-related deaths and injury which include cardiac arrest, head and neck injuries, and other exertion-induced heatstroke or sickling.
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Prescription Drug Overdose
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Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
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SAMHSA released a new pocket guide for health professionals,
Medication- Assisted Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. The pocket guide offers a checklist for prescribing medication, the U.S. FDA approved medications for use in the treatment of opioid use disorder, screening and assessment tools, and best practices and patient care. Visit
Children's Safety Network to download the PDF.
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The Month of May is National Trauma Awareness Month
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According to the American Trauma Society (ATS), “falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans” (ATS, 2016). They estimate that more than 2.5 million injuries, 734,000 hospitalizations, and 21,700 deaths are attributed to falls annually. “Safe Steps for Seniors” is the American Trauma Society (ATS) and Society of Trauma Nurses (STN), national focus this month for Trauma Awareness. This year celebrates the 28th anniversary of May being Trauma Awareness month.
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In Nebraska, falls are the leading cause of traumatic injury, occurring more than half in those individuals who are 65 years of age and older (Nebraska Trauma Registry, 2016). Additionally, with any injury enormous economic and personal costs, can be sustained. Falls are preventable and many evidence based fall prevention programs are available. More resources and information including, posters, checklists and handouts are available at www.amtrauma.org . For more information or additional resources contact Crystal Dailey RN, DHHS Trauma Nurse Specialist @ crystal.dailey@nebraska.gov or 402-722-4300.
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Peg Ogea-Ginsburg, MA
Injury Prevention Program Coordinator
Jason Kerkman, MPH
Safe Kids Nebraska Coordinator
Amy Reynoldson
Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention Coordinator
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Jeanne Bietz, MA Motor Vehicle Policy Grant Project Coordinator jeanne.bietz@nebraska.gov
Ashley Newmyer, MPH, CPH
Epidemiology Surveillance Coordinator
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Injury Prevention and Control E-News is a monthly newsletter distributed to partners of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Injury Prevention and Control Program.
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Email DHHS.injury@nebraska.gov with any suggestions or feedback.
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