Neighborhood-based Social Determinants of Health are Associated With Decreased Helmet Use in Young Children

In brief

This study examines how neighborhood socioeconomic factors influence helmet use among children in wheeled recreational crashes. Findings reveal that children from disadvantaged communities have lower rates of protective helmet use, highlighting critical health equity gaps in pediatric injury prevention.

• Neighborhood-level social determinants of health correlate with pediatric helmet use in wheeled sports injuries.
• Children from disadvantaged communities show lower helmet usage rates during bicycle, scooter, and skateboard crashes.
• SDoH factors may identify populations needing targeted injury prevention and helmet distribution programs.
• Community-level interventions should address socioeconomic barriers to protective equipment access.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.