September 4, 2006 – According to data released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and reported recently in La Presse, there is a dramatic drop in head injuries requiring hospitalization, especially among youths. Comparing 1994-1995 to 2003-2004, the number of head injury incidents that required hospitalization fell 35% in the general population and 53% among those under 20 years old. For youths the numbers dropped significantly from 10,589 in 1994-1995 to 4,966 in 2003-2004. In this age group there was also a 34% decline in deaths as a result of head injuries while the Canadian population for this age group remained relatively stable over the decade.

Cycling is one of the leading causes of sports and recreation-related head injuries. Of the 4,605 cycling injuries requiring hospitalization in 2003-2004, a total of 18% were due to head injuries. The highest proportion of hospitalizations due to cycling-related head injuries was seen in children and youths (60%).

The number of cycling-related head-injury admissions dropped between 1994-1995 and 2003-2004, particularly among children and youths (under age 20) which saw a 55% decrease (from 1,085 to 494), with the largest decrease seen in those aged 5 to 9 years (64%). Adults aged 20 years and older also saw a decrease in cycling-related head-injury hospital admissions, with a 24% decline (from 422 to 321 cases) during the same time period.

In six of ten Canadian provinces, bicycle helmets are now mandatory for those under 18-years-old.

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For the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) report click here.