Injury Prevention and Safety

Abstract

<P>Injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood in the United States. Worldwide, childhood injuries are ubiquitous and deadly, especially the injuries that result from armed conflict and violence. The impact of injuries on children ought not be news to today’s pediatricians, experts in child development and health. Prevention of injuries is a major topic for anticipatory guidance.</P><h4>ABOUT THE GUEST EDITOR</h4><P>Robert R. Tanz, MD is Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician in the Division of General Academic Pediatrics at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree in biology from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1972 and his MD from the Chicago Medical School in 1976. He was a resident in pediatrics at Children’s Memorial Hospital from 1976 to 1979 and joined the faculty of the Department of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Medical School in 1980. From 1982 to 2000 he was Director of Continuity Clinic. He was Associate Chair for Education from 1997 to 1999 and the Director of Medical Education in the Department of Pediatrics from 1999 to 2004. He is a five-time recipient of the Faculty Excellence in Education Award, voted by the pediatric house staff.</P><P>Dr. Tanz was a member of the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Injury and Poison Prevention from 1996 to 2007, serving as Chair of the Section from 1999 to 2003. He was a co-organizer of the Handgun Epidemic Lower Plan (HELP) Network in 1993 and subsequently served on several HELP committees and the Board of Directors. Since 1999 he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Kids in Danger, Inc., an advocacy organization focused on improving the safety of childhood products. He received the 2007 Kids in Danger Best Friend Award.</P><P>Dr. Tanz has conducted research and published in the areas of child and adolescent injuries, including firearm injuries, motor vehicle pedestrian and passenger injuries, cycling-related injuries, and product-related injuries. He has testified in regulatory and legislative hearings on child passenger safety, motorcycle helmet laws, firearm regulation and legislation, and child product safety. He is also engaged in research related to streptococcal infections.</P><P>Dr. Tanz visited all 30 major league baseball parks in 2006, in the process raising more than $30,000 for Chicago Youth Programs Inc., a comprehensive inner city youth support organization. He was a youth baseball, softball, and basketball coach for many years, and he is currently the assistant varsity girls’ softball coach at the Latin School of Chicago.</P>