Government of Canada Supports Childhood Injury Prevention

CIHR-funded researchers aim to find ways to curb injury rates

TORONTO, April 21, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today highlighted support from the Government of Canada in childhood injury prevention research. More than 40% of child and youth injuries treated in Canadian emergency departments are unintentional, and caused by participation in sports and recreational activities such as cycling.

"These injuries are predictable and preventable," said Minister Aglukkaq. "Our government is proud to work in partnership with organizations such as Parachute to develop and implement evidence-based child injury prevention programs so our children can be safe, while healthy, active and full of life."

Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Government of Canada currently supports the work of researchers who aim to reduce child and youth injury rates.

• Dr. Andrew Howard at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Dr. Anne Snowdon at the University of Windsor, lead a team of researchers examining pedestrian and cycling safety as well as car seat safety. The team aims to find new ways to prevent child traffic injuries and deaths in Canada.
• Dr. Ian Pike at the University of British Columbia and Dr. Alison MacPherson at York University, lead a team of researchers studying the factors that result in childhood injuries such as risky behaviours. The team aims to develop new child injury prevention initiatives and innovative products to improve communication with youth and parents.
• Recently, CIHR funded a new research chair in child injury prevention held by Dr. Alison Macpherson at York University. Dr. Macpherson will study how to most effectively move evidence on child injury prevention into action.

"Research into this important issue is crucial to not only better understand the root causes of injuries, but to also help inform us at Parachute in what is needed to ensure children and youth can participate in activities that are safe, fun and healthy," added Louise Logan, President and CEO, Parachute. "Parachute is proud to work closely with researchers to achieve this goal."

"Canada is fortunate to have a strong and dedicated injury prevention community which strives to reduce the number of kids and parents that have to make that stressful visit to the emergency room," said Dr. Shoo Lee, Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health.

Resources on bicycle helmet safety:
Frequently asked questions about bicycle helmets: www.parachutecanada.org/injury-topics/item/helmet-faqs

Bicycle helmets safety tips from the Canadian Standards Association (CSA):  www.csagroup.org/consumers/consumer_site/tips15a.html

About the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada. www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca

About Parachute
Parachute is a national, charitable organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives. Parachute's injury prevention programming and advocacy efforts are designed to help Canadians reduce their risks of injury while enjoying long lives lived to the fullest. For more information, visit www.parachutecanada.org.

Image with caption: "Today, Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq met with Toronto families, representatives from Parachute and local health researchers to help raise awareness about bike and road safety. From left to right : Shoo Lee, Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Pam Fuselli, Parachute; Ned Levitt; Andrew Howard, The Hospital for Sick Children; Minister Aglukkaq; Phil Groff; Louise Logan, Parachute; and Cathy Seguin, Parachute. (CNW Group/Canadian Institutes of Health Research)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130421_C7270_PHOTO_EN_25812.jpg

Image with caption: "Minister Aglukkaq speaks with 3 years old Harper about the importance of wearing a helmet. Unintentional injuries, such as cycling injuries, are the greatest threat to the health of children and youth in Canada. (CNW Group/Canadian Institutes of Health Research)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130421_C7270_PHOTO_EN_25810.jpg

SOURCE: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Cailin Rodgers, Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200
David Coulombe, CIHR Media Relations, 613-941-4563 Cell: 613-808-7526,
[email protected]
Kathy Blair, Parachute Media Relations, 647-776-5125 Cell: 416-953-0864