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IntroductionTraffic injury is a leading and preventable cause of child death and disability, with child pedestrians and cyclists particularly vulnerable. Examining built environment correlates of child pedestrian and cyclist motor vehicle collisions (PCMVC) in different settings is needed to promote an evidence-based approach to road safety.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study across multiple urban/suburban environments in Canada (Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Laval, Peel Region). All public elementary schools were included (n=1030). We examined the role of land use/social environments, road environments and traffic safety interventions on the rates of child PCMVC within 1000 m of schools. Multivariable negative binomial regression was conducted for all cities and by individual city. In a subset of schools (n=389), we examined associations when controlling for active school transportation (AST).ResultsMean PCMVC rate per school ranged from 0.13 collisions/year in Peel to 0.35 in Montreal. Child PCMVC were correlated with land use, social and road environments and traffic safety interventions. In fully adjusted models, social and land use features remained the most important correlates. New immigrant population had the largest positive association with child PCMVC (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.50), while old housing (pre-1960) density was most protective (IRR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.90). AST was associated with PCMVC, but it had no effect on the relationships between PCMVC and other social/environmental correlates.ConclusionThe built environment and social factors influence rates of child PCMVC. Opportunities to reduce child PCMVC exist through modifications to city design and road environments and implementing traffic safety interventions.

Background Injury prevention policy is crucial for the safety of Canada’s children; however, legislation is not adopted uniformly across the country. Researchers and policy makers must work together to develop effective legislation that is evidence-based but little is known regarding policy makers views regarding the importance of research in facilitating the legislative process. Methods Purposive snowball sampling identified individuals involved in injury prevention practice and policy throughout Canada. In an online survey, respondents identified injury topics relevant to them and rated the importance of enablers to injury legislation using a 5 point Likert scale. Results There were 57 respondents with representation from all 10 provinces. The most common topics were, bicycle helmets (77%), cell phone-distracted driving (63%), booster seats (49%), ski helmets (42%), and graduated driver’s licensing (37%). The most frequently identified enabler was that research/surveillance was readily available (59%). Other commonly reported research enablers were: research of sufficient quality/quantity that was easy to understand and in a useful format and affiliation of researchers with reputable organisations. Less important was researchers having similar priorities as policy makers and understanding the policy process. The importance of different research enablers varied by injury topic. Conclusions Although policy makers identified the importance that injury prevention research was readily available, it appeared to be less important that researchers had similar priorities or understood the policy process, with variability by topic. This presents a challenge for researchers to conduct timely research and emphasises the need for ongoing relationships with policy makers with discussions early in the research process. This would facilitate the development of common injury prevention priorities to ensure research is used effectively in the legislative process.

Safe Kids Canada launched the Ethno-Cultural Program targeted towards providing injury prevention resources for diverse communities in Canada. Goals To establish a national injury prevention programme that translates knowledge to diverse population in Canada. Identified communities have access to culturally appropriate injury prevention resources for the purpose of influencing behaviour to reduce the burden of injury. To establish collaborative relationships with appropriate key stakeholders, such as ethno-cultural agencies who serve diverse communities. The programme has successfully developed and distributed culturally relevant safety messages for parents and community partners for the purpose of raising awareness and reducing child injuries within ethnic communities in the Greater Toronto Area – Chinese, Portuguese and Punjabi – but can be utilised across Canada. This programme sought to go beyond simple translation from one language to another, by instead engaging the communities who would benefit from injury prevention outreach in the assessment and development of the final resources. Key learnings showed that this method was effective and welcomed by the communities because of their involvement and the collaborative approach we adopted. Extensive cultural media outlets picked up the information and resulted in two million media impressions, 45 000 resources distributed and 100 community leaders engaged who now have increased capacity to provide culturally appropriate resources. This presentation will share the focus group formats, important lessons learned and the resulting resources now available in communities.

The Vancouver Charter on Skiing Safety is based on skiing and snowboarding safety and the Turin Charter (approved in the context of the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games) and was brought to Canada by Safe Kids Canada. Originally prepared by a panel of experts and specialists delegated by European Governments who worked under the coordination of TOROC (Turin Organizing Committee), BE.PRA.S.A. (a project co-financed by the European Commission and the health authority of the Italian region of Veneto) and the Italian National Health Institute, the aim of the Charter is to promote a safe, healthy and active sporting and recreational culture, and to make its principles visible to the public, citizens and institutions. Over 30 international, national, provincial and municipal organisations have endorsed the Charter to date. The Charter was introduced at a Helmet Forum in November 2009 in Vancouver and featured experts such as Dr Charles Tator, Dr Richard Stanwick, Dr Brent Hagel and Mr Matt Herman. The forum was attended by injury prevention experts, ski/snowboard industry representatives and media and resulted in extensive national media coverage of the issue, especially the diversity of opinions and debates it has created. This presentation will show Safe Kids Canada9s experience of how the Charter can be leveraged by other countries, review the challenges and successes, present our knowledge translation ‘recipe for success’ and update the audience on activities to date.