March 2003

April: Time to Focus on Backpack Safety

April is National Backpack Safety Month, sponsored by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA). COCSA launched National Backpack Safety in 2002. The purpose of the program is to educate students, parents and teachers about the health issues associated with heavy backpacks and teach ways to carry backpacks correctly to prevent injury. The program is targeted at students in the oldest level of elementary school who will be transitioning to lockers and are required to carry more books and heavier loads throughout the day.

According to COCSA President, Dr. Kevin Donovan, DC, “Recent research reports that a majority of today’s students are carrying more than the recommended weight levels and sustaining significant injury that may last a lifetime. It is imperative that doctors of chiropractic become involved with this growing epidemic. I am very excited that the chiropractic community has taken a leadership position and created national focus on the issue of backpack injury.”

The year’s National Backpack Safety Program kits include:

• The backpack bully mascot;

• A how-to booklet that explains the logistics of setting up and conducting a backpack safety program;

• Sample press releases to send to the local media;

• A 10 minute video to show at the presentations;

• Leave-behind brochures on Backpack Safety that have space for the chiropractor’s name and practice address;

• ample scripts; and

• One AirPacks backpack.

Kits are being offered for $199.99 for those doctors who are members of their state association and $349.99 for non-members. Upgrades are available to doctors who purchased kits last year for $20, to cover shipping and handling. For further information about the program and to order a kit, call 800-310-7383 or visit www.cocsa.org.

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: