Topic

Summary

Action

Injury Legislation 2010:  Stan Michaels and Kari Benes, IPCP, Dept. of Health

A Graduated Drivers’ Licensing bill, HB2404, to remove the sunset clause is moving along;

A resolution was  introduced to establish a Task Force on falls among the elderly;

A bill to mandate car seats  in the back sea (except under certain conditions) is being heard - not supported by DOH due to conflicting language;

Moped related bills have died;

Complete Streets Task Force is moving along;

KIPC submitted testimony to: support measures against repeat excessive speed drivers; ban all hand held technology while driving; and, the ignition interlock task force recommendations

Kari Benes will be tracking these bills to keep KIPC, and its members, informed.

The inclusion of falls among children was questioned but the causes and responses are so different between elderly and children, it is recommended that future, separate action be taken to prevent falls among children, a leading cause of hospitalization

Results of Spa and Pool Association of Hawaii survey:  Stan Michaels,

Hawaii Dept. of Health, Injury Prevention & Control Program

25% of surveys mailed out by the Spa and Pool Assoc. of Hawaii were returned – a terrific response rate by social marketing standards. They found: increased requests for safety info from pool maintenance workers; and, most significantly, 48% of  Hawaii’s private pool owners installed the new drain covers and/or pumps – even though they are not required to do so – at a personal cost of $800-3,000! Also, they documented high numbers of pool owners with self-latching gates missing and 4-sided fencing missing

This collaboration is gaining national attention and we will continue to follow its development and assist in whatever way KIPC members can.

There is a definite need for greater public knowledge of the necessity of self-latching gates around pools and spas.  A regular gate is not sufficient, it must be self-latching.  We ask all KIPC members reading this to insert this info in their respective educational mailings.  The same is true of 4-sided fencing.

Injurious Results of Secondhand Smoke in Cars:  Catherine Sorenson, Tobacco Prevention & Education, Hawaii Department of Health

Catherine, newly at the

Tobacco Prevention & Education, presented the latest research on a smoking related phenomena known as “third hand smoke” and its relationship to kids in cars.  Smoking leaves a residue that combines with environmental chemicals to create lasting hazards.  Plus, adults smoking in cars w/kids directly expose those kids to 2ndhand smoke in a tightly closed environment. This is  a new question on the BRFSS – 78% don’t smoke in cars which mirrors 75% don’t smoke in general population

Information about the hazards of smoking in cars, especially with children present, may be handed out in the goodie bag at the community car seat events and at sites who choose to include this info in their appointments.  

Immunization Info & Car Seat Events,

Kit Uyeda, DOH

Kit Uyeda has asked the car seat site coordinators and KIPC if educational materials can be included in the info provided at car seat check-ups

Car Seat coordinators may include the information, supplied by Kit, in the goodie bag handed out at community check-ups and at their sites, if allowed.  No education on immunizations is expected. 

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injuries in Hawaii: Robin Brandt,  Director, Pacific Basin Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, University of Hawaii

Dr. Brandt presented on the various, often undetected, outcomes of brain injuries incl. latest research, and accompanying educational materials on tertiary prevention of brain injuries - those who receive even mild brain injuries (for example, concussions) have a higher rate of another brain injury, and possible mental health issues, that go undetected.  Research and education efforts are now being directed at this issue, since it is so widespread and largely undiagnosed.  A state registry is needed of traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

We recognized advances made in this field but acknowledged the amount of work to be done, esp. in Hawaii where football is so popular, and particularly among coaches of younger aged teams.

The educational materials were created by the Centers for Disease Control and are widely available upon request.  They are excellent and feature the “Heads Up” campaign - a concussion prevention and detection program.  Please make use of these materials by contacting: www.cdc.gov/injury and looking for the “Heads Up” campaign.  Please include in your educational efforts.

Robin asked for peers as mentors for a brain injury support group they run. You may contact her at: rbrandt@hawaii.edu

Discussion: “How are we doing?”

A brief discussion was held on where we are now that RIFF has occurred and positions/people are consolidated.  We recognize the amount of education and catching up that will be required to bring new folks on board.  We also are relieved to see a number of familiar faces in new positions. 

The Safe Sleep Hawaii Committee was mentioned since it is a long time KIPC project and has recently undergone a lot of staff changes.  We are pleased to see its importance and continuation under able DOH leadership affirmed. 

The Safe Sleep Hawaii Committee efforts will continue but with many new “players”.

KIPC would like to submit a collaborative grant (s) to keep this effort going.

Agency  & Research Announcements

A recent article in Time Magazine, entitled, “”Why Genes Aren’t Destiny”, the latest research on Epigenetics, an emerging field with an enormous impact on public health.

Poison Prevention Week is coming right up, March 14-20.  The theme this year is “Children Act Fast… So Do Poisons”.  This is especially relevant with home safety – the majority of poisoning occur in and around the home

Contact: kipc@hawaiiantel.net for copies of the article

Please request poison magnets and materials for March 14-20, Poison Prevention Week.  Contact Su kipc@hawaiiantel.net

Or at 371-5657

• Child Death Review
• Eric Tash’s Departure
• KIPC Mtg Location Change
• Parentline

Child Death Review is progressing on its comprehensive report of causes of infant deaths in Hawaii; need to institutionalize investigation practices since other islands use police officers or coroners, not medical examiners, to determine cause of death

KIPC may move its coalition meetings to another location – Kapiolani Medical Center is under discussion. 

It is good to have the Parentline rep at the meetings to increase their  knowledge of injury prevention.

Any change in location of KIPC meetings will be announced in plenty of time – please look for an update.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation.  We all benefit from your participation.  We continue to accomplish great things together.