Barriers and Enablers to Enacting Child and Youth Related Injury Prevention Legislation in Canada
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Results
- (1)
- Population Burden and Severity of Injury
“We have few if any serious brain or spinal cord injuries from this sport.” (PE)
“This legislation would only apply to a small portion of the population.” (SK) (ski helmets)
“Although the number of serious brain injuries is not numerous each year, the nature of the injury itself is severe enough to warrant action.” (NS) (ski helmets)
“I look at every head/brain as being precious and therefore any injuries due to not wearing a helmet are unacceptable. The long-term implications for a head injury on the individual, their family and society are great.” (ON) (bicycle helmets)
“Significant costs are associated with the number and extent of injures related to motor vehicle collisions involving new drivers.” (NS) (GDL)
“Over a third of the root cause (of our provinces deaths and injuries on roads) is driver distraction and while there are a number of distractions, cell phone use is a major one.”(SK) (cellphone)
- (2)
- Evidence of Preventability, Risk Reduction
“Evidence of the actual impact is lacking and very difficult to generate, but we shouldn’t stop looking.” (ON) (cellphone)
“Research showed evidence that supported development of the legislation.” (ON) (booster seats)
“The evidence is incredibly strong for a positive impact reducing injuries and death.” (NS) (GDL)
“We know a lot about the mechanisms of injury and the role helmets play in protecting the face, skull and brain.” (ON) (ski helmets)
- (3)
- Availability of Surveillance Data
“We know that distracted driving increases crash risk but we have little data on the number of crashes that are actually caused by cell phones … and even on how many drivers in BC use cell phones.” (BC) (cellphones)
“We don’t have a national, comprehensive injury surveillance system that I am aware of, and until we do, we are only “flying with one wing”.” (SK) (bicycle helmets)
“…had been contracted to do helmet surveillance on the ski hills in years prior (to the legislation) along with qualitative research about why people were or were not wearing helmets.” (NS) (ski helmets)
- (4)
- United Opinion Regarding Injury Prevention Topic
“There was opposition from adults to requiring adults to use (bicycle) helmets … adults could make an informed choice. Adults were skilled riders unlike children …” (AB) (bicycle helmets)
“Bicycle helmets do reduce the likelihood of severe head injuries but I have mixed feelings about this issue. Other measures—better bike lanes/increased training of all drivers/etc. may be more effective. I also feel that the responsibility for preventing cyclist injuries falls road designers and on all road users and not just the cyclists.” (BC) (bicycle helmets)
“I live in a community with no alpine sporting venues. Ski resorts are used by people from all over. It is challenging to develop a collective voice when the population is relatively small and spread through (the province) and beyond.”(ON) (ski helmets)
“There were arguments it should apply only to big cities as there are no options in rural locations.” (ON) (GDL)
“We believe that there is a fear of backlash from rural residents even though … a research study showed that rural residents know that their children are protected by the use of helmets.” (SK) (bicycle helmets)
“We want people to be active, and not limited through legislation in being so.“ (NS) (ski helmet)
“It would be nice to have a solid statement from a reputable source that deals with certainty about the rates of ridership.”(SK) (bicycle helmets)
“Keeping children safe from injury is an easy sell to the community at large and a good message to be associated with, politically.” (BC)
“Requiring bicycle helmets for persons under age 18 was seen as a low political risk option.”(AB) (bicycle helmets)
- (5)
- Legislation Already Exists in Other Jurisdictions
“My province does not like to be first.” (PE) (booster seats)
“We looked at research and evidence from other provinces and components of their legislation.” (PE) (GDL)
- (6)
- Timing
“I don’t think the profile is high enough. Unfortunately, it can take a high profile case where someone notable is injured to spark the debate and move forward policy decisions.” (ON)(ski helmets)
“…a friend of health minister was killed not wearing helmet.”(NS) (bicycle helmets)
“The latter two amendments … both came from opposition private members bills during periods where there was a minority government, eager to make deals with the opposition. These changes passed with all party support.” (NS) (bicycle helmets)
“Numerous other helmet laws were in place, the health minister at the time was interested in brain injury prevention. There was a majority government.”(NS) (ski helmets)
- (7)
- Enforcement
“There is very little enforcement of the legislation that is currently in place for children under 18.” (ON) (bicycle helmets)
“Some budget (was available) to add some supports to enforcement with legislation in my province, however, small ski hills easily enforced.” (NS)
“At a ski resort it should be fairly easy to enforce. No helmet, no ride.”(NS) (ski helmets)
- (8)
- Costs of Equipment
“Can everyone afford to purchase a helmet?”(NL) (bicycle helmets)
“Initially, there were early promotions for free/low cost helmets for children and youth.” (ON) (bicycle helmets)
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix
Case Study-Nova Scotia and Ski Helmet Legislation
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Province | Bicycle Helmets | Cell Phone-Distracted Driving | Booster Seats | Ski Helmets | Graduated Driver’s License |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
British Columbia (BC) | All ages, 1996 | 2010 | 2008 | X | 1998 |
Alberta (AB) | <18, 2002 | 2011 | X | X | 2003 |
Saskatchewan (SK) | X | 2010 | 2014 | X | 2005 |
Manitoba (MB) | <18, 2013 | 2010 | 2012 | X | 2003 |
Ontario (ON) | <18, 1995 | 2009 | 2005 | X | 1994 |
Quebec (QC) | X | 2008 | 2002 | X | 1997 |
New Brunswick (NB) | All ages, 1995 | 2011 | 2008 | X | 1996 |
Nova Scotia (NS) | All ages, 1997 | 2008 | 2007 | 2012 | 1994 |
Prince Edward Island (PE) | All ages, 2003 | 2010 | 2008 | X | 2000 |
Newfoundland (NL) | X | 2010 | 2008 | X | 1999 |
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Share and Cite
Rothman, L.; Pike, I.; Belton, K.; Olsen, L.; Fuselli, P.; Macpherson, A. Barriers and Enablers to Enacting Child and Youth Related Injury Prevention Legislation in Canada. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070656
Rothman L, Pike I, Belton K, Olsen L, Fuselli P, Macpherson A. Barriers and Enablers to Enacting Child and Youth Related Injury Prevention Legislation in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2016; 13(7):656. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070656
Chicago/Turabian StyleRothman, Linda, Ian Pike, Kathy Belton, Lise Olsen, Pam Fuselli, and Alison Macpherson. 2016. "Barriers and Enablers to Enacting Child and Youth Related Injury Prevention Legislation in Canada" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13, no. 7: 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070656
APA StyleRothman, L., Pike, I., Belton, K., Olsen, L., Fuselli, P., & Macpherson, A. (2016). Barriers and Enablers to Enacting Child and Youth Related Injury Prevention Legislation in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(7), 656. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13070656