In Cali, the second largest city in Colombia, the economical crisis has made motorcycles a cheap and practical transportation alternative, especially for lower middle classes. Cali has over 250,000 circulating motorcycles, the largest number in the country. Neurotrauma caused an average of 4.5 deaths a week in 1996. Less than 3% of the motorcycle drivers used helmets. The Universidad del Valle and the city of Cali began in 1997, a comprehensive health promotion program to promote helmet use. The program was based on (1) policy formulation, (2) education and persuasion, and (3) reduction of environmental barriers. Use of communication for advocacy and education was key to program success. Results showed that helmet use increased to 96%, and neurotrauma deaths decreased to 2.2 a week. The program demonstrated the need to combine health promotion efforts, not relying only on policies that are hard to enforce in developing countries; it also demonstrated the efficacy of environmental facilitation, so rarely taken into account in poor societies.
Learning Objectives: - Attendants will be able to cite the three elements of the intervention in Cali, Colombia - The elements of communication for advocacy will be implemented in any other intervention the attendants pursue
Keywords: Health Education, Motor Vehicles
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.