Funded Injury Control Research Centers (ICRCs)

Project Title: CE 09 001 UNC Injury Prevention Research Center
Grant Number: 1 R49 CE001495-01
Project Period: 8/01/09-7/31/14
Description: See funded ICRCs page for more information.

Project Title: Preventing Falls through Enhanced Pharmaceutical Care
Project Period: 09/01/04-08/31/09
Description: Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults in the United States. Past research suggests that individuals taking multiple medications are at increased risk for falls. Drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS), in particular, have been associated with increased risk. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a community based falls prevention program delivered by community pharmacists. A randomized controlled clinical trial design will be used. The target population is community dwelling older adults (ages 65 and older) at high risk for future falls because (1) they have experienced a fall within the past year, (2) they are currently using four or more prescription medications, or (3) they are currently using at least one CNS active medication. Participants will be recruited using prescription profile records maintained by the pharmacies where they obtain their medications. Individuals in the intervention group will receive an in depth consultation concerning their current medications, conducted by a community pharmacist. Individuals assigned to the control group will receive a series of monthly informational materials focused on the prevention and treatment of health problems associated with aging (e.g., osteoporosis, heart disease) and lifestyle behaviors (e.g., exercise) important for health maintenance. All individuals will be followed for 1 year. Data concerning falls will be collected via monthly falls calendars.

Project Title: Prospective Investigation of Sport-related Concussion: Relationship Between Biomechanical, Neuroanatomical, and Clinical Factors
Project Period: 09/01/04-04/30/09
Description: This study, which builds on prior work supported by CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, will evaluate the relationship between biomechanical, neuroanatomical, and clinical factors associated with sport related concussion. Symptomatology, neuropsychological function, and postural stability measured at selected post injury points will be correlated to neuroanatomical measures taken with susceptibility weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging and to linear and rotational acceleration of the head at impact, as measured by the Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS). The results will help establish a threshold for concussive brain injury and assist researchers and clinicians in understanding how mechanisms of injury are associated with clinical outcome. The results may assist in the development of safer return-to-play guidelines, while subsequently preventing the complications associated with repeated sport related concussion.

Project Title: Youth Employment and Youth Violence: Is Work a Viable Intervention?
Project Period: 09/01/04-02/28/06
Description: This project considers whether youth employment has promise as a potential intervention to reduce youth violence. It will rely on data collected in three waves as part of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). This study provides a nationally representative sample of more than 10,000 adolescents who completed in home interviews over a 6-year period. In the context of background and contextual variables, the investigators will examine the relationship, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, of employment during adolescence with violent (i.e., assault, fighting, threatening with weapons) and violence related behaviors (i.e., drug and alcohol use, stealing, weapon carrying, gang membership).

Project Title: Adolescent Pregnancy, Intimate Partner Violence, and Poor Birth Outcomes: Consequences of Childhood Victimization?
Project Period: 09/01/07-08/31/09
Description: This project uses a sample of 1,151 adolescents in a longitudinal investigation of child maltreatment to assess how victimization during childhood is associated with early pregnancy, victimization during pregnancy, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. It will examine whether a history of maltreatment or exposure to witnessed violence are associated with increased likelihood of adolescent pregnancy and whether that relationship is increased by risk factors (substance use, mental health problems, and family dysfunction) or attenuated by protective factors (academic achievement, family support, social competence, school connectedness, and neighborhood resources). Among youth who have been pregnant or impregnated by a partner, the project will examine prospectively whether a history of maltreatment or exposure to witnessed violence are associated with increased likelihood of intimate partner violence (IPV) and whether that relationship is increased by risk factors or attenuated by protective factors. Finally, among females who have been pregnant, the project will examine whether a history of maltreatment or exposure to witnessed violence are associated with negative health behaviors (alcohol, tobacco or drug use, and less prenatal care) and adverse birth outcomes (spontaneous abortion, prematurity, low birth weight). The LONGSCAN study (Longitudinal Studies in Child Abuse and Neglect) provides one of the largest, most comprehensive prospective data sets on child maltreatment. LONGSCAN is an established set of cohort studies of children recruited during the first 4 years of life. The studies have been collecting data for 14 years. LONGSCAN's use of multi method, multiple respondent methods of collecting information on maltreatment and violence exposure is innovative because it extends beyond the use of administrative databases and the biases inherent in state reporting systems.