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CDC works with state and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and universities to prevent unintentional injuries. Scientists regularly convene and serve on expert panels and working groups, an important part of these partnerships. The science-based injury prevention recommendations and guidelines that are developed through such collaborations are vital to strengthening state and local injury prevention programs and promoting injury prevention as a public health discipline. Examples of partnership activities for 2000–2001 include:
Alliance to Prevent Falls as We Age
CDC has joined with other agencies, organizations, and professional groups to form the Alliance, dedicated to preventing older adult falls and related injuries. CDC and the National Safety Council co-chair the Alliance, which is currently planning a summit in 2003 to develop a National Blueprint to Prevent Senior Falls and Related Injuries. For more information about fall safety and Alliance members go to
www.nsc.org/fallsalliance.htm.
 National Action Plan for Child Pedestrian Safety
CDC, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, and Nestlé co-sponsored a meeting of experts to discuss barriers and potential solutions to the problem of child pedestrian injuries. This group—the Panel to Prevent Pedestrian Injuries—consisted of nearly 100 experts from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia and represented more than 25 professions, including city planning, motor vehicle safety, public health, child development, school safety, health education, and engineering. The product of the meeting, National Strategies for Advancing Child Pedestrian Safety, was published in October 2001. These strategies will guide national and community efforts to increase safety for our nation’s youngest pedestrians.
Schieber RA, Vegega ME, editors. National Strategies for Advancing Child Pedestrian
Safety. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2001.
National Bicycle Safety Network
CDC initiated the National Bicycle Safety Network (NBSN) in 1994 and continues to co-chair it with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During 2000–2001, the NBSN continued its activities with nearly 20 key partners in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups that work to promote safe bicycling. A key product of this working group was the 2001 publication of National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety. This five-point plan is the result of discussions held at a multi-disciplinary conference in July 2000 that addressed critical bicycle safety issues for riders of all ages. It calls for policies and programs to help motorists better share the road; to educate bicyclists about the rules of the road; to encourage police and the courts to enforce these rules; to encourage departments of transportation to build bicycle paths and lanes and consider bicycling in their long-range transportation plans; and to encourage bicyclists to wear helmets while riding.
Since publication of these national strategies, previously adversarial groups have joined together to work on common goals for bicycling safety.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Highway Administration.
National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; 2001.
Task Force on Community Preventive Services
Scientists from the CDC injury program participate on a technical working group that conducts systematic reviews of community-based interventions to reduce motor vehicle occupant injuries. The working group has reviewed interventions to reduce alcohol-impaired driving and to increase use of seat belts and child safety seats, and it is currently reviewing mass media interventions to reduce alcohol-impaired driving. Based on review findings, the Task Force on Preventive Services—an independent, nonfederal group of experts—has issued recommendations for the use of interventions found to be effective. These reviews will be published in The Guide to Community Preventive Services, which will cover a wide range of preventive interventions. To read more about the Community Guide, see page 14, or visit the web site at
www.thecommunityguide.org.
Task Force on Dog Bite Prevention
CDC scientists participated on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Task Force on Canine Aggression, which published A Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention in 2001. The report will assist state and local leaders in designing effective community-based programs to reduce dog bite injuries and deaths. The report offers representative national statistics about dog bites; guidelines about how to mobilize a community and the
infrastructure needed to establish a program; recommended prevention strategies; educational and communication approaches and targets; recommendations for reporting and tracking dog bites; and model dog-control ordinance and legislation for control of dangerous dogs.
Task Force on Canine Aggression. A community approach to dog bite prevention. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2001; 219:1733–49.
 Working Group on Lifeguard Effectiveness
An October 2001 report by CDC assesses lifeguarding services as a strategy for preventing drowning and water-related injuries. The report was the product of a panel of experts convened by CDC’s injury staff and a review of data from the United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) and others. Data show that during 1988–1997, more than three-quarters of drownings at USLA sites occurred when beaches were unguarded and that the chance of drowning at a beach protected by lifeguards trained under USLA standards is less than 1 in 16 million. This report will help communities, local government officials, and owners of private water recreational areas make informed decisions about whether to begin, retain, or discontinue lifeguard services.
Branche CM, Stewart S, editors. Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working
Group. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2001.
Challenge: To Eliminate Residential Fire Deaths by 2020
The United States Fire Administration, part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC); and CDC began working together in 2001 to plan a national effort to reduce injuries and deaths associated with fires in homes. The agencies formed the Federal Fire Partnership, whose challenge to the United States is to eliminate residential fire deaths by the year 2020. In support of this effort, Congress appropriated $5 million in fiscal year 2002 to be used by the three agencies for a new fire safety campaign targeting high-risk populations—older adults, children, and firefighters. The
Partnership has planned an agenda of surveillance, research, community programs, marketing, and collaboration activities. The Partnership will work with representatives from other federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to shape the national effort to eliminate residential fire deaths.
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