WalkSafe Keeps Walking for 15 Years: A Program Review

Am J Public Health. 2019 Jan;109(1):116-118. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304786. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Abstract

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14 years. The WalkSafe program was developed in response to the number of children admitted to Miami-Dade County, Florida, level-1 trauma centers. WalkSafe was piloted in an initially high-risk neighborhood, which now exhibits a low density of pedestrian crashes. Following countywide implementation of WalkSafe, trauma data exhibit a 78% decrease in pediatric injuries. This article provides a 15-year review of WalkSafe and its role in decreasing pediatric pedestrian injuries in Miami-Dade County. Every year, an alarming number of child pedestrians are injured on the nation's roadways. In Miami-Dade County, Florida, the WalkSafe program aims to reduce pediatric injury through targeted education and multitiered collaboration with community partners.

MeSH terms

  • Accident Prevention / methods*
  • Accidents, Traffic / prevention & control*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Curriculum
  • Florida
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Humans
  • Pedestrians
  • Program Evaluation
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Safety
  • Walking*
  • Wounds and Injuries / prevention & control*