Latest news with #InjuryPrevention
Gizmodo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
Kids Around the World Are Still Swallowing Magnets at an Alarming Rate
Young children often put things in their mouths that they shouldn't. Even seemingly harmless objects, such as toys, could have components small enough for a baby to swallow—such as magnets. Despite an increase in regulations, thousands of children around the world are still swallowing magnets. In a sweeping international review, researchers from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and UC Davis Health investigated pediatric magnet ingestion reports from around the world alongside their corresponding national policies addressing the issue. Their results indicate that children in the U.S. might be especially vulnerable. While the study was only able to analyze 23% of the world's countries, the researchers hope that their comparisons will inform regulatory policies moving forward. 'This data demonstrates that paediatric magnet ingestion is an international problem that must be addressed,' the researchers wrote in a study published today in the journal Injury Prevention. 'Every geographic area has different availability of products and types of restrictions in place, yet the problem remains the same: If magnets are accessible to children, some children will inevitably ingest them, leading to a wide range of severe consequences.' Children from around the world, especially under the age of four, are at risk of swallowing small, high-powered magnets found in household items like remotes, toys, and small appliances. While the researchers point out that swallowing a single magnet might not be problematic, swallowing more or swallowing one alongside a metallic object might necessitate invasive medical intervention. To get a better picture of global trends, the team studied papers published between 2002 and 2024 on the prevalence and consequences of children swallowing magnets up to the age of 18. Most of the 96 papers came from Asia, the Middle East, North America, Europe, Chile, Australia, Egypt, and Tunisia. The researchers also assessed any policies regarding magnet production, sales, and use in their countries. The average age of children swallowing magnets was between two and eight years old, and most children overall swallowed magnets from toys or school and office supplies, while at home, in nurseries, or in daycare. Many of the children needed medical interventions. The U.S. represents the highest number of incidents (23,756) though this might be because individuals from the U.S. report such cases more frequently than others. Several countries, including the U.S. and China, saw an increase in reported cases over time. It could also result from more accurate reporting or changes in magnet cost, marketing, availability, or regulations, the researchers say. On the topic of regulatory policies, the team found policies regarding pediatric magnet ingestion in only 10 countries or geopolitical zones: the U.S., Canada, the European Union, the U.K., France, the UAE, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The policies included (few) outright bans of small magnets, limits on magnet strength, and/or labelling regulations. 'Many countries still lack national policies aimed at limiting access to small, ingestible magnets, even countries with published incidence of morbidity and mortality from paediatric magnet ingestions,' the researchers explained. In the U.S., regulations keeping high-powered magnets out of the market were overturned in 2016, after which the number of pediatric magnet ingestion reports soared by 444% until 2022 when new—but still questionable—policies came into effect. Overall, the researchers argue that the true number of pediatric magnet ingestions is likely even higher than what they outline in their study, since many incidents that don't need medical intervention likely go undocumented. And while their study was 'limited by information availability,' the bottom line is that children are still swallowing magnets at a high rate. Fortunately, 'this data also provides some insight about potential solutions,' the researchers pointed out. 'Removal of magnets from the market is linked to a decreased incidence of injuries related to magnet ingestions and thus, such policies should be proposed, promoted and enforced.'
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Pool fences and life jackets could save hundreds of lives, CDC estimates
Hundreds of lives could be saved each year by broader use of life jackets and more fences around swimming pools, according to new modeling from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers, in one of the last studies produced by some of the agency's injury prevention experts before they were eliminated by layoffs this year. "These known strategies are already helping to prevent drowning incidents, but there remains a substantial unrealised potential for saving more lives," wrote the authors of the study, which was published this week in the Injury Prevention journal. Researchers aimed to estimate the number of deaths each year caused by two factors: inadequate fencing to prevent young children from wandering into swimming pools and Americans not wearing a life jacket while boating. Out of 4,509 drowning deaths reported in 2022, the CDC's modeling found that 51 likely could have been prevented by better pool fencing, and 297 could have been prevented by victims wearing a life jacket during a boating accident. That adds up to thousands of dollars in medical spending and an economic cost to the country of $4.5 billion, the CDC researchers estimated. "Increased adherence to adequate pool fencing and always wearing a life jacket while boating could avert a substantial number of deaths and enormous economic cost each year in the USA," the authors wrote. The CDC did not respond to a request for an interview about the new study. Researchers behind the study had worked for the agency's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which had been responsible for the federal government's work studying drowning prevention and other leading causes of injury. The CDC's drowning prevention researchers were among the teams that were entirely eliminated at the agency's injury center, multiple officials said, alongside staff responsible for the federal government's rape prevention program, traumatic brain injury research and database on injuries ranging from suicides to accidents. This year's layoffs mean, as one laid-off CDC employee described on the condition of anonymity, that all of the center's "economists, statisticians, and programmers who do the sometimes inglorious grinding technical work needed to inform the public accurately about critical issues related to injuries and violence" will be let go. Only a handful of studies remain in the pipeline from the agency's injury prevention researchers that had been authored before layoff notices were delivered on April 1, the employee said. The center's remaining staff are expected to be among those merged into the new Administration for a Healthy America agency created by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Experts stress need for multidisciplinary approach to athlete care
Varanasi: A three-day workshop on Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation, organised by the University Sports Board, Banaras Hindu University began on Tuesday, with noted cardiologist from the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU Prof Vikas Agarwal inaugurating the event. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Agarwal emphasised the vital connection between cardiac health, sports performance, and injury rehabilitation, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to athlete care . "The integration of cardiovascular fitness with physical rehabilitation is essential for holistic athlete management," said Prof Agarwal, adding that such workshops pave the way for better collaboration between medical experts, physiotherapists, and trainers. Organising secretary Kavita Verma presented a detailed report and introduction to the workshop, emphasising its objectives and growing significance. She said that the workshop, initially conceived as an institute-level programme, was expanded into a national-level event due to the overwhelming response and enthusiastic participation from across the country. Workshop director Rajeev Kumar Singh also spoke. A total of 125 participants including coaches, athletic trainers and students, are attending the event. Varanasi: A three-day workshop on Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation, organised by the University Sports Board, Banaras Hindu University began on Tuesday, with noted cardiologist from the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU Prof Vikas Agarwal inaugurating the event. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Agarwal emphasised the vital connection between cardiac health, sports performance, and injury rehabilitation, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to athlete care. "The integration of cardiovascular fitness with physical rehabilitation is essential for holistic athlete management," said Prof Agarwal, adding that such workshops pave the way for better collaboration between medical experts, physiotherapists, and trainers. Organising secretary Kavita Verma presented a detailed report and introduction to the workshop, emphasising its objectives and growing significance. She said that the workshop, initially conceived as an institute-level programme, was expanded into a national-level event due to the overwhelming response and enthusiastic participation from across the country. Workshop director Rajeev Kumar Singh also spoke. A total of 125 participants including coaches, athletic trainers and students, are attending the event.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
E-scooters reduce bike collision risk, says study
Electric scooter schemes appear to reduce the risk of bicycle collisions by about 20%, according to a study. University of Bristol researchers compared bicycle collision rates in areas before and after the introduction of e-scooter schemes, with rates in areas without them. The study, published in the journal Injury Prevention on Friday, looked at routinely collected police data on road collisions in the UK between 2015 and 2023. "If more people are encouraged to cycle, because the roads are safer, there are potentially even larger positive effects," said Yoav Ben-Shlomo, professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Bristol. More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Many rental e-scooter schemes were introduced after the Covid pandemic and police data showed that while overall traffic collisions returned to pre-pandemic levels, bicycle collisions were down by about 20% in areas with scooter schemes. Combining cycle and e-scooter collisions did not change the results – suggesting that the reduction in bicycle collisions was not masked by more e-scooter collisions, researchers said. They believe that the findings support the idea that more people using e-scooters and bicycles leads to greater overall safety as they and motorists become more alert to each other. "We were delighted to confirm the safety in numbers hypothesis but we need further data to be sure this is a real effect," said Professor Ben-Shlomo. Zoe Banks Gross, founder of cycling group East Bristol Kidical Mass, said: "Increasing actual and perceived safety is important to encourage more people to cycle." Last year, police confirmed that e-scooters were linked to more than 100 road collisions in Bristol in a one-year period – accounting for about 10% of serious crashes. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. City renews e-scooter contract despite criticism E-scooters linked to 100 serious traffic incidents Research e-scooters before buying, says mum NIHR ARC West University of Bristol
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
E-scooters reduce bike collision risk, says Bristol University study
Electric scooter schemes appear to reduce the risk of bicycle collisions by about 20%, according to a of Bristol researchers compared bicycle collision rates in areas before and after the introduction of e-scooter schemes, with rates in areas without study, published in the journal Injury Prevention on Friday, looked at routinely collected police data on road collisions in the UK between 2015 and 2023."If more people are encouraged to cycle, because the roads are safer, there are potentially even larger positive effects," said Yoav Ben-Shlomo, professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Bristol. Many rental e-scooter schemes were introduced after the Covid pandemic and police data showed that while overall traffic collisions returned to pre-pandemic levels, bicycle collisions were down by about 20% in areas with scooter cycle and e-scooter collisions did not change the results – suggesting that the reduction in bicycle collisions was not masked by more e-scooter collisions, researchers believe that the findings support the idea that more people using e-scooters and bicycles leads to greater overall safety as they and motorists become more alert to each other."We were delighted to confirm the safety in numbers hypothesis but we need further data to be sure this is a real effect," said Professor Banks Gross, founder of cycling group East Bristol Kidical Mass, said: "Increasing actual and perceived safety is important to encourage more people to cycle." Last year, police confirmed that e-scooters were linked to more than 100 road collisions in Bristol in a one-year period – accounting for about 10% of serious crashes.
