Volume 3, Issue 6, December 2009

New Study Reaffirms Booster Seat Recommendations

A study conducted by Center researchers and published in the November 2009 issue of Pediatrics found that children seated in a belt-positioning booster seat in the rear of the car are 45 percent less likely to be injured in a crash as compared with those using a seat belt alone. Children in booster seats involved in side-impact crashes saw the greatest reduction in injury risk. The researchers studied more than 7,000 children ages 4 to 8 involved in real-world crashes reported to State Farm® between 1998 and 2007 to develop the findings.

Read the press release

National Teen Driver Safety Week 2009 Reaches Millions

Now in its third year, National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) continued to build momentum to raise awareness about teen driver safety, with activities sanctioned at the state level in 43 states. NTDSW was mentioned in more than 2,000 news stories during the month of October, reaching local communities in virtually every state in the nation. At least 150 schools across the country organized NTDSW activities.

For 2009, we encouraged organizations and communities to promote the importance of parents in helping teens to become safe drivers. Those organizing NTDSW activities in their communities could refer to recently published National Young Driver Survey (NYDS) research that shows that teens whose parents set clear rules and do so in a way that is perceived by teens as supportive are half as likely to crash or speed. They also are twice as likely to use seat belts as teens who view their parents as less involved. A report and series of fact sheets made it easy for organizers to share this information with their communities. During NTDSW, CIRP researchers delivered a Webinar for more than 200 participants to describe the results from published NYDS papers. If you missed the Webinar, the report fact sheets and a video of the entire Webinar are available here.

View news articles on NTDSW.

Ride Like A Friend Gains Momentum During NTDSW

CIRP researchers worked with five schools in four states to pilot the Ride Like A Friend. Drive Like You Care (RLAF) campaign to refine the activities and implementation process for schools. This school-based peer-to-peer initiative gets teens talking about how to be better passengers and drivers.  In a 2008 pilot study in two schools, participants reported they were more likely to buckle up and less likely to cause distractions in follow-up surveys. The web-based set of RLAF activities and planning guide is available for any school to use.  Schools can utilize this teen-tested campaign for NTDSW 2010 (October 17-23) and also consider becoming a 2010 evaluation school site. Spring of 2010 is the optimal time to start planning.

Learn more about Ride Like A Friend. Drive Like You Care.

Center Receives Grant to Study Simulated Hazard Scenarios

Yi-Ching Lee, PhD, a human factors researcher and principal investigator with the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI) at CHOP, was recently awarded a one-year grant from the Army Research Institute to develop and implement driving simulator scenarios to verify hazards and record driver performance in hazardous situations. She and her team also will evaluate the effectiveness of an on-line teen driver training program by comparing driving performance before and after the training.

Promoting Teen Driver Safety to Health Educators

Ken Ginsburg, MD, MSEd, an investigator with the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI) at CHOP, addressed the 60th Annual Meeting of the Society of Public Heath Educators (SOPHE) held in Philadelphia in November. With the theme "An Invitation to Innovation," the meeting drew more than 500 leaders in health education, health promotion and health communication. In his comments, Dr. Ginsburg reinforced the critical role health educators play in helping scientists to translate and disseminate research into meaningful action among parents, teens, and others to reduce the toll of teen driver crashes, the leading cause of death for US teens. 

CIRP Research in China Presented at APHA

On the heels of the SOPHE conference, the American Public Health Association Conference drew thousands to Philadelphia. CIRP research was featured in the presentation, “Cultural Translation: Acceptability and Efficacy of US-based Injury Prevention in China.” The purpose of this study was to explore whether a booster seat promotion intervention developed for a US population would be efficacious and acceptable to a Chinese population. Results revealed marked similarities between the two countries in behavioral beliefs related to booster seat use. Parents indicated child safety as the most important benefit of booster seats, and a lack of usable knowledge related to boosters as the most prevalent barrier to use. US-designed interventions that provided concrete messages about the safety benefit of booster seats were cited as most effective in both countries.
 
Also at the APHA meeting, Flaura Koplin-Winston, MD, PhD, founder and co-scientific director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention, received the Excellence in Science Award from the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services section of The American Public Health Association.

Center Bioengineers Featured on Today Show

In a segment that aired on November 5, 2009, Center bioengineers shared their knowledge about how booster seats work to prevent seat belt syndrome injuries, as well as their research collaboration with Rowan University to develop a more accurate pediatric crash dummy.

Watch the segment and read the article.

Recent Publications from the Injury Center

  • Arbogast KB, Balasubramanian S., Seacrist T., Maltese MR., García-España, JF., Hopely T., Constans E, Lopez-Valdes FJ., Kent RW., Tanji H., and Higuchi K. Comparison of Kinematic Responses of the Head and Spine for Children and Adults in Low-Speed Frontal Sled Tests. 2009 Stapp Car Crash Conference, Savannah, GA, held November 2-4, 2009.
  • Arbogast, K. B., Jermakian, J. S., Kallan, M. J., and Durbin, D.R. (2009). Effectiveness of Belt Positioning Booster Seats: An Updated Assessment. Pediatrics. November 2009.
  • Arbogast, K. B., Nishisaki, A., Balasubramanian, S., Nysaether, J., Niles, D., Sutton, R. M., Roberts, K. E., Nadkarni, L., Boulet, J., Maltese, M. R., Nadkarni, V. M. Expert Clinical Assessment of Thorax Stiffness of Infants and Children During Chest Compressions. Resuscitation. October 2009.
  • Blackstone MM, Wiebe DJ, Kalra A, Mollen CJ, and Fein JA. Feasibility of an Interactive Voice Response Tool for Adolescent Assault Victims. Academic Emergency Medicine. October 2009.
  • Branas CC, Richmond TS, Culhane DP, Ten Have TR, and Wiebe DJ. Investigating the Link Between Gun Possession and Gun Assault. American Journal of Public Health. November 2009.
  • Hausman AJ, Hohl B, Hanlon AL, Becker J, Branas CC, Hayden UT, and Fein JA. Communicating Success: Translating Community Specified Indicators of Program Success into Measurable Outcomes. The Journal of Public Health Promotion and Policy. November/December 2009.
  • Kirley B, Teoh E, Lund A, Arbogast KB, Kallan M, and Durbin D. Making the Most of the Worst Case Scenario: Should Belt-Positioning Booster Seats Be Used in Lap-belt-only Seating Positions? Traffic Injury Prevention. December 2009.
  • Sutton, R. M., Maltese, M. R., Niles, D., French, B., Nishisaki, A., Arbogast, K. B., Donoghue, A., Berg, R. A., Helfaer, M. A., Nadkarni, V. Quantitative Analysis of Chest Compression Interruptions During In-hospital Resuscitation of Older Children and Adolescents. Resuscitation. November 2009.

Recent Presentations from the Injury Center

  • Arbogast, K. B. (2009, October). Analysis of Child Restraints in Side Impacts. CIREN Public Meeting, Baltimore, MD. October 8, 2009.
  • Arbogast, K.B., Jermakian, J. S., and Ghati, Y. (2009, October). Abdominal Injuries in Belt-Positioning Booster Seats. Presented at the 53rd Annual Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine Conference, Baltimore, MD. October 4-7, 2009.
  • Arbogast KB. Evidence for Best Practice Recommendations and Current Trends. Presented at 8th Annual Child Passenger Safety Technical Conference, Lancaster, PA. September 10, 2009.
  • Arbogast, K. B. Current Trends and Directions in Child Restraint Safety. 53rd Stapp Car Crash Conference, Savannah, Georgia. November 2-4, 2009.
  • Arbogast, K. B. Comparison of Kinematic Responses of the Head and Spine for Children and Adults in Low-Speed Frontal Sled Tests. 53rd Stapp Car Crash Conference, Savannah, Georgia. November 2-4, 2009.
  • Cole V. A Call to Action. Driver Education Forum. Lehigh Valley Hospital. Allentown, PA, October 9, 2009.
  • Cole V. Ride Like A Friend. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) State Conference. Dover, DE. October 28, 2009.
  • Cole V. Practical Applications of the Publication Driving Through the Eyes of Teens, A Closer Look. The Driving School Association of the Americas (DSAA). Sarasota, FL, November 12, 2009.
  • Durbin D. Parents of Teen Drivers: Can You Put Them in the Driver’s Seat? American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference and Exhibition. Washington, DC, October 18, 2009.
  • Durbin D. Saving Teens’ Lives:  Advancing Young Driver Safety. Pennsylvania Chapter of the American College of Emergency Medicine Resident’s Day. Philadelphia, PA
  • Elliott M. Using a Mixture Model for Multiple Imputation in the Presence of Outliers. University of Pennsvlvania School of Medicine Epidemiology Seminar. Philadelphia, PA, November 12, 2009.
  • Erkoboni DC, Winston FK, Ozanne-Smith J, and Rouxiang C. Cultural Translation: Acceptability and Efficacy of a US-based Injury Prevention in China. American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, November 11, 2009.
  • Ghati Y, Menon R., Milone M., Lankarani H., and Oliveres G. Performance Evaluation of Child Safety Seats in Far-Side Lateral Sled Tests of Varying Speeds. Presented at the 53rd Annual Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine Conference, Baltimore, MD. October 4-7, 2009.
  • Ginsburg K. An Invitation to Participation. 60th Annual Meeting of the Society of Public Health Educators (SOPHE). Philadelphia, PA, November 6, 2009.
  • Hausman A., McDonald C, Richmond T, Guerra T, Thomas NA, Hohl BC, and Leff S. How the Community Views Success: Closing the Gap Between Local Relevancy and Academic Standards. American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, November 10, 2009.
  • Kassam-Adams N and Marsac M. The Structure of PTSD Symptoms in Injured Children and Adolescents. 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta, GA. November 5-7, 2009
  • Kassam-Adams N, Marsac M, Kohser K, and García-España JF. Evaluating Screening and Secondary Prevention in the Pediatric Medical Setting.  Poster presented at  the 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta GA. November 5-7, 2009. 
  • Marsac M, Kassam-Adams N, Kohser K, and Winston F. Initial Evaluation of a Web-based PTSS Prevention Tool for Parents of Injured Children. 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta GA. November 5-7, 2009. 
  • Marsac M, Donlon K, Kassam-Adams N, and Winston F. Child Coping and Parent Coping Assistance Following a Potentially Traumatic Injury.  25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta GA. November 5-7, 2009.
  • Vaughn NA, Thomas N, Leff SS, Gallman K, Stewart M, Wyatt C, and King L. Constructing a Community Mobilization Team in a CBPR Framework: How do you build collaboration, connection and capacity from within the community? American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, November 9, 2009 (poster presentation).
  • Vaughn NA, Thomas N, Fein J, MacEvoy JP, Leff S, Henry T, Rich JA, Bradshaw A, Scrubbs C, Hester N, and Evans S. Building Strong Community Leaders: Working to Prevent Youth Violence in Philadelphia Through a Focus on Leadership Skills Development. American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, November 9, 2009.
  • Weibe D, McDonald C, Guerra T, Thomas NA, and Richmond T. Role of Family for Youth in Violent Environments. American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, November 10, 2009 (poster presentation).
  • Wiebe D, Bourgois P, and Branas C. Drug Use, Drug Markets, and the Risk of Being Assaulted with a Gun. American Public Health Association 2009 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, November 10, 2009.
  • Zonfrillo M. Injury Prevention Discharge Instructions in the ED. American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference and Exhibition. Washington, DC, October 18, 2009.

Focus On:
Allison Curry, PhD, MPH

Focus On: Allison Curry, PhD, MPH

For Allison Curry, PhD, MPH, the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) at CHOP represents the ideal blend of her varied professional interests. As the Director of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Center, Dr. Curry lends her expertise in epidemiologic and statistical methods to various research projects, including the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI), and serves as an Investigator on several National Child Occupant Special Study (NCOSS) pilot studies.

As part of the NCOSS team, she is working to develop and coordinate the logistics to enhance the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Automotive Sampling System (NASS), a nationally-representative sample of all police-reported crashes in the US, with child-specific data collection to create a national motor vehicle crash surveillance system. A related NCOSS pilot study, for which Dr. Curry serves as Principal Investigator, will assess the validity and quality of parent-reported child injury severity information following a motor vehicle crash. 

Through these varied roles, Dr. Curry is able to experience the best aspects of her former positions in academia and government. “I enjoyed my position at a local health department because it allowed for a direct connection between my work and the community, something I have also experienced here at CIRP. Traditional academic research is intellectually rewarding, but I just wasn’t able to see firsthand how the results of my research impacted the target population,” she says. “One of the things I love most about working at CIRP is that I can publish my findings in peer-reviewed journals for the scientific community, but our Outreach team also translates and disseminates key findings to specific audiences so that our research impacts them in a useful way.”  

She also enjoys the multidisciplinary nature of the Center. “Working here allows me to be exposed to many other scientific fields and perspectives, which has enabled me to grow professionally,” says Dr. Curry. “Working with colleagues in behavioral science, pediatric medicine, and engineering has really made me a more complete scientist.”  

Dr. Curry graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Northwestern University with a BA in Biological Anthropology, earned her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of California Los Angeles, and obtained her PhD in Epidemiology from Emory University in Atlanta. She joined CIRP in February 2009 after directing the Research and Surveillance Unit for the Bureau of Vital Statistics at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Epidemiology. She also spent several years collaborating with Danish researchers on the design and development of a study of preterm delivery using data from the Danish National Birth Cohort. An award-winning scientist, Dr. Curry has been honored for her achievements by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, American Women in Science, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Security Education program.

Durbin Named Full Professor of Pediatrics at U of P

Dennis Durbin, MD, MSCE, co-director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention and member of the Division of Emergency Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), was recently promoted to Full Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Durbin was awarded this prestigious designation for his outstanding research on child passenger safety that has made a significant impact nationally, his role as mentor to emergency medicine physicians and epidemiologists in training, and his excellent clinical skills. Congratulations to Dr. Durbin for helping to elevate the role of injury prevention as an integral part of pediatric scholarship and medical practice.

Violence Center Sponsors Community Symposium

On November 19th the Philadelphia Collaborative Violence Prevention Center (PCVPC) held its 3rd Annual Community Symposium at the West Philadelphia YMCA. Over 50 people attended the event which focused on “The Responsibility of Leadership" and included an update of the PCVPC Centerpiece Project, remarks from two young adult members of the community, and a keynote address from Marcus Allen, CEO of ACHIEVEability, one of PCVPC’s community partners. PCVPC also recently launched the biweekly PCVPC Digest to highlight upcoming Philadelphia events (including those relevant to youth), calls for papers, conference announcements, funding opportunities, and community resources, as well as recent research and publications regarding violence prevention, evidence-based interventions, community-based participatory research, and program evaluation.

Penn Awards One of Its Own

Lela S. Jacobsohn, PhD, a behavioral scientist and principal investigator with the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI), recently received the 2009 Young Alumni Award of Merit from her alma mater, The University of Pennsylvania. The award recognizes leaders in the Penn community for outstanding service to the University. Jacobsohn was presented with the honor by Michael Delli Carpini, PhD, dean of the Annenberg School for Communication at Penn.

Support Our Center

The dedicated doctors, researchers, and outreach professionals at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at CHOP are fighting to save the lives of children of all ages. But we need your help. To make a secure, on-line donation, please visit The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation Donation Page and select “Center for Injury Research and Prevention” in the drop-down menu. You also may telephone the CHOP Foundation at 267-426-6500. For more information on our research and programs, please visit www.chop.edu/injury.

The Center for Injury Research and Prevention Family of Websites