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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Christy Knox, MA and R. Dawn Comstock, PhD. Center for Injury Research and Policy, Columbus Children's Research Institute, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, (614)355-2848, knoxc@ccri.net

Purpose: The goal of epidemiologic research should not be to merely accumulate knowledge, but rather to address public health concerns through the effective application of gained knowledge. Methods: The following illustrates this progression through an example of injury epidemiology research. Results: In an initial study, researchers reviewed the medical records of children treated in the emergency department of one large children's hospital and found that pediatric ice-skaters experienced a significantly greater proportion of head and facial injuries than roller/in-line skaters. A subsequent study of pediatric skating-related injuries using data from a nationally representative sample of hospital emergency departments confirmed the results of the initial study. To investigate the observed differences in patterns of injuries, researchers conducted fieldwork involving videoanalysis to compare the mechanics of falls among pediatric ice-skaters and roller/in-line skaters. They found that both ice-skaters and roller/inline skaters tended to fall forward and almost all attempted to break their falls with their arms/hands. However, because ice-skating takes place on a low friction surface, attempts to break falls with the arms/hands were unsuccessful leading to head and facial injuries. Because most ice-skating falls were forward in direction, standard helmets may not adequately protect the ice-skater's face and front of the head from hitting the skating surface. Based on these findings, a new type of protective gear was developed to help prevent head and facial injuries among pediatric ice-skaters. Conclusions: By moving research through the progression of knowledge to practice, epidemiological studies can directly shape injury prevention recommendations and policies.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize how epidemiological research can shape injury prevention
• Describe the progression of knowledge to practice
• Develop a plan to shape injury prevention through your own epidemiological research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation