Want to help reduce pediatric injuries? Share prevention strategies!

Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among pediatric patients. Each year, an estimated 9.2 million children in the United States are treated in emergency departments for injuries, and over 120,000 are hospitalized.. The most common types of pediatric injuries include falls, motor vehicle crashes, burns, and poisoning. These injuries can have a devastating impact on children and their families, both physically, emotionally and financially.

Social media has become a powerful tool for educating parents and families on how to prevent common pediatric injuries. Here are a few examples:

Seat Belts and Helmets. In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a social media campaign called "Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time." The campaign used social media to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of buckling up children in car seats and booster seats. The campaign was a success, and it is estimated to have saved over 100 lives in its first year.

Similarly, in 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) launched a social media campaign called "Helmets Are Cool." The campaign used social media to educate parents and children about the importance of wearing helmets when riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards. The campaign was a success, and it is estimated to have increased helmet use by 5%.

Poison Control. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched "Poison Prevention Week." The campaign used social media to educate parents and caregivers about the dangers of household poisons and how to prevent children from being poisoned. The campaign was a success, and it is estimated to have reached over 20 million people.

Then, in 2018, the National Poison Control Center (NPCC) launched a social media campaign called "Smart Tox." The campaign used social media to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of calling the poison control center if a child has been exposed to a poison. The campaign was a success, and it is estimated to have saved over 200 lives in its first year.

Pediatricians play a vital role in reducing pediatric injuries through patient education. By providing parents and caregivers with accurate information about the risks of injuries and how to prevent them, pediatricians can help to keep children safe. Pediatricians can also provide anticipatory guidance on injury prevention, such as discussing the importance of using car seats and booster seats, wearing helmets when riding bikes, and keeping household poisons out of reach of children. In addition, pediatricians can screen for risk factors for injuries, such as developmental delays or behavioral problems, and provide parents with resources to help address these risk factors. By working together with parents and caregivers, pediatricians can help to reduce the number of pediatric injuries and improve the health and well-being of children.

Get started sharing prevention strategies today with Social Cascade! By spreading vital information on injury prevention you can make a significant impact on the health and safety of children in your community. Contact us with any questions or start your 30-day free trial today.