The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74653

Alexander Kelter, MD, Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, 611 N. 7th Street, MS #39A, P.O. Box 942732, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (916) 323-3611, akelter@dhs.ca.gov

During the 1980s and 1990s research from the US and Australia demonstrates that certain kinds of hard barriers around residential swimming pools reduced the likelihood of toddler drowning. All the while, parents of drowned and near-drowned children were organizing into coalitions to improve swimming pool safety in their areas. Using a combination of case histories and political opportunities, a number of California counties adopted ordinances requiring various combinations of safety improvements in newly-constructed residential swimming pools. Later, the State of California adopted an appendix to the state building code requiring at least one of several safety features in newly constructed residential swimming pools. Is this an example of "research to practice", or one of convergent evolution?

Learning Objectives:

• to learn about the art and science of translating research into practice through a case study

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.