Children are out of school for the summer and involved in outdoor activities that can lead to accidents that turn summer fun into disaster. HHC hospitals are ready and able to treat serious trauma when necessary, but also promote safe choices that can keep youngsters from the gravest injuries.

One of HHC's most successful such programs, the Harlem Hospital Injury Prevention Program (HHIPP), developed by Dr. Barbara Barlow in 1988, has become a model for the nation and inspired the creation of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids. As a pediatric surgeon at Harlem Hospital, she saw an overwhelming number of injuries and deaths that she felt could be prevented. To keep children safe from traumatic injury, HHIPP has provided safe play areas and safe activities in addition to safety education.

"Children need safe supervised activities and good adult mentors - the programs keep children from risky street behaviors," said Dr. Barlow.

There has been a 60% decrease in pediatric admissions for trauma at the hospital since the grant-funded program launched.

Elmhurst Hospital distributes bike helmets for injury prevention.

Bicycle accidents are of special concern. About three-fourths of fatal crashes nationwide involving adults and children lead to a head injury and 97 percent of those individuals were not wearing a helmet. Only 13 percent of cyclists injured did not wear helmets. And among children aged 5-14, boys had a much higher death rate than girls.

In light of these statistics HHC hospitals have taken action. Elmhurst Hospital distributed over 200 bike helmets to the community last year. With the help of the NYC Department of Transportation, children and adults were properly fitted for bicycle helmets to promote safety and educate the community about preventing head injury. Similarly, Jacobi Medical Center is involved in community education activities and regularly participates in the Annual Night Out Against Crime held at various Bronx Police departments.