Funding Provided For Helmet Program

Nova Scotia's children will be playing safer, thanks to new funding for a program that provides helmets to families in need.

Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Health Promotion, announced today, Dec. 3, that $2,500 will be provided to the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Health Sciences Centre's division of neurosurgery helmet program. The program is for families unable to afford helmets for their children.

"Helmets are an important part of safe play for children and adults," said Mr. MacDonald. "Wearing one can make the difference between arriving home safe and suffering serious injury."

The program was designed to provide helmets for wheeled activities, such as cycling, roller-blading, and skateboarding. An overwhelming number of requests were received after the helmet program was launched last spring. Dr. David Clarke, one of the directors of the Neurosurgery Injury Prevention Program said no child should be denied access to a helmet for financial reasons.

"The large response received indicates that the public is very aware of the importance of helmets and that parents want helmets for their children," said Dr. Clarke. "We are pleased that the support of the Office of Health Promotion can help meet these helmet requests."

According to the Cochrane Review, helmets are essential in preventing serious brain injury and societal costs. Properly fitted and approved helmets reduce the risk of brain injury by 55-85 per cent. The review is provided by the Cochrane Collaboration, an international non-profit organization providing information about the effects of health care and health promotion.

"The cost of one young severe traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury is estimated to be between $7-10 million including medical, lifetime care and lost wages," said Dr. Simon Walling, director of the Neurosurgery Injury Prevention Program. "This does not take into account the cost of the personal pain and suffering of the patient and family."

The Neurosurgery Injury Prevention Program is a collaborative, provincial program that incorporates the Canadian Paraplegic Association's Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program and Think First Canada's Injury Prevention Program. Free resources such as brochures, safety checklists and curriculum programs for families, coaches and teachers are available at www.thinkfirst.ca or by contacting Lynne Fenerty, injury prevention co-ordinator, QEII division of neurosurgery, at 473-7895.