Bicycle helmet use by children; evaluation of a community-wide helmet campaign
Article Abstract:
Injuries sustained by children bicycling represent over 300,000 visits to emergency departments and are the cause of 500 to 600 deaths annually. A previous study established that the use of a proper helmet by children can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. In spite of this simple and cost-effective remedy less than five percent of school-aged children wear such protective headgear when bicycling. The impact of a community-wide program in Seattle, Washington which presented the value of wearing safety helmets is examined. The program also made approved helmets available at large discounts, and lowered the cost to approximately $25. A comparison was made between the Seattle community and a similar population in Portland, Oregon (control community) that did not receive community sponsored helmet advice. Observations of 9,827 children riding bicycles in various income areas were made during 2-week periods before the safety helmet campaign and 4, 12 and 16 months after its initiation in Seattle and in Portland. In Seattle helmet use increased nearly 3-fold, from 5.5 percent of bicycling children before the campaign to 15.7 percent afterwards. During the same period the level of helmet use in Portland also showed an increase from 1.0 to 2.9 percent of children riding bicycles, but the level of helmet use was more than 5-fold lower than that of Seattle. Observation site data included location, time and date, helmet use, gender, race, bicycle type, and whether the child was accompanied by an adult. Observed children were more likely to be white, male, on BMX (nongeared) bicycles and riding on weekdays. Children were more likely to ride with a helmet when they rode with other children wearing helmets. Helmet use was not found to be associated with higher income; a high proportion of children in low income areas in Seattle used safety helmets. The use of helmets by black children was found to be significantly lower than use by caucasian children. Peer pressure and the cost of helmets was addressed by this campaign and its relative success indicates that this type of program may be generally useful in promoting the use of safety helmets for children when riding bicycles.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1989
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Attitudes toward bicycle helmet ownership and use by school-age children
Article Abstract:
Bicycling accidents are among the most frequent sources of childhood injuries. Many bicycling accidents cause skull and brain injuries which may result in severe, long-term disability or death. Many of these injuries can be prevented by using bicycle helmets. However, few children wear these helmets. Some reasons for this are the high cost of the helmets, uncomfortable helmut design, peer pressure, and a lack of perceived need. To more accurately ascertain public attitudes toward bicycle helmets, questionnaires were sent to the parents of 2,178 third-graders and 1,057 responses were received. The survey showed that out of 931 children who had bicycles, 24 percent owned helmets, but only 56 percent actually used them. Reasons given by parents for not buying helmets for their children were: they never thought about it (51 percent); too costly (29 percent); the child would not wear the helmet (20 percent); the helmet was not needed (12 percent); and procrastination (7 percent). Children who owned but did not wear helmets gave the following reasons: their friends do not wear helmets (28 percent); they do not think about it (16 percent); helmets are uncomfortable (42 percent); they do not see the need (13 percent); they forget (35 percent); and helmets are unattractive (2 percent). These results can be used as a starting point for communities to develop programs to encourage bicycle helmet use by children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Diseases of Children
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-922X
Year: 1990
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Helmet use and risk of head injuries in alpine skiers and snowboarders
Article Abstract:
Head injury is the most frequent reason for hospital admission and the most common cause of death among skiers and snowboarders with an 8% fatality rate among those admitted to hospital with head injuries. Helmet use is associated with reduced risk of head injury among them and there is a lower risk for neck injuries as well.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2006
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