Megan Wise Public Relations Campaign

Personal Experience Golf club to the forehead CT Scan = Negative Kept for observation Difficult to complete neuro exams Second CT Scan ordered

Dr. Weiner, neurosurgeon Epidural Hematoma Bleeding between the inside of the skull and outer covering of the brain

Three hour surgery Elevated bone; evacuated blood clot Three titanium plates and eleven screws One Year recovery process

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Concussion Coma Every 15 seconds, someone in the US suffers a TBI TBI is a contributing factor to a 3 rd of all injury- related deaths

Serious Sports Head Injuries Sports Concussion Epidural Hematoma

Children from birth to age 19 Highest rates of TBI among sport activities Highest rates are among males ages 10-19

Best cure = Prevention Most common piece of sports safety gear is a helmet Helmets assist in: The absorption of shock during impact Cushioning the skull Reduces any jamming of the brain against the skull

Increase awareness about the seriousness of head injuries when it comes to athletic activity and decrease the number of emergency room visits that are TBI related.

Create promotional videos (testimonials) Create videos highlighting medical complications Establish simulation labs Construct informational brochures – classrooms Increase helmet sales nationally by 10% Decrease the number of ER visits in the first 3 months of the year by 15% Team up with The Brain Injury Association of America – Fundraising Gather statistical information to present to Federal Government

Adolescents “Helmets = the ultimate fashion accessory.” Parents “The signs of brain injury don’t usually appear immediately. Take precaution and act fast!” Young Adults “Organ donor: A person who doesn’t wear a helmet.” Federal Government “Help make America’s youth the most fashionable on the sports field.” Family Doctors/Pediatricians “What’s the best medical advice you can give? Tell your patients to use their head.”

Strategy: Create, organize, and implement school wide programs/assemblies Strategy: Hold safety exhibitions for kids to ride bikes and play sports using the latest safety equipment.

Strategy: Hold informational meetings at local convention centers and hospitals.

Strategy: Write a two separate bills concerning the wearing of safety equipment Strategy: Organize a nationwide walk: “Use Your Head and Walk!”

Strategy: Distribute informational sheets and brochures for doctors to put on display in offices. Strategy: Design promotional and testimonial videos to have running on TV screens in offices.

Health PR Campaign Budget Key Publics Totals: Parents $51,075 Adolescents and Young Adults $73,279 Federal Government $1,350,000 Family Doctors/Pediatricians $1,075 Totals: $1,475,429

Educate the importance of head safety Be aware of the serious effects of traumatic brain injuries Entire nation will gain exposure to the healthcare issue Think twice before engaging in athletic, physical activity The “Use Your Head and Protect Your Head!” campaign is strongly committed to making a difference

American Association of Neurological Surgeons. (December 2011). Sports-Related Head Injury. Retrieved from: Brain Injury Association of America. (2012). Living with Brain Injury. Retrieved from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (October 6, 2011). Injury Prevention and Control: Traumatic Brain Injury. Retrieved from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (October 7, 2011). Nonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries Related to Sports and Recreational Activities Among Persons Aged < 19 years. Retrieved from: Children’s Hospital Boston. (2011). Sports Injury Statistics. Retrieved from: Nurmi, Deborah. (2012). Sports Safety: Helmets Save Heads. Retrieved from: Stanford University School of Medicine. (2012). Sports Injury Statistics. Retrieved from: The Franklin Institute. (2004). The Human Brain. Retrieved from: