Junglemobile Roars Through Record Fifth Year

Junglemobile

from School Health Reporter, Winter 2005

The Children’s Hospital Junglemobile, which in December completed its fifth season and one of its busiest years yet, reached more than 8,000 children from 39 rural communities in 2004.

The Children’s Hospital’s Junglemobile, an ambulance converted to a mobile classroom with a jungle theme, has just completed its fifth season and one of its busiest years yet.

The program reached more than 8,000 children from 39 rural communities this year, said Jennifer Carroll, TCH’s Injury and Prevention Coordinator. In its five year run, the Junglemobile, a program of TCH, Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) and St. Anthony’s Hospital, has educated more than 47,000 children and traveled to 150 rural communities. Additionally, in June, KPTI presented the program at the International Injury Prevention Conference in Vienna , Austria to several agencies throughout the nation seeking to replicate the program.

The two hospitals launched the program in 2000 to prevent injuries among children living in rural communities.  The Junglemobile is an interactive teaching vehicle designed to provide hands-on safety prevention education to elementary-aged children in six areas:

  • bike/helmet safety
  • fire safety
  • water safety
  • emergency activation/dialing 911
  • pedestrian safety
  • fall prevention

In the United States and Colorado , unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among children 14 years old and younger. Children living in rural areas are at significantly greater risk of unintentional injuries from motor-vehicle crashes, drowning, fires and agricultural accidents than children living in urban areas. This higher risk is due to a combination of environmental, behavioral and economic factors, including less access to trauma care, lower use of restraints (seat belts, car seats) and a disproportionate share of people living in poverty.  However, it is estimated that as many as 90 percent of unintentional injuries can be prevented.

For more information about the Junglemobile or to schedule a visit, please contact the Junglemobile coordinator at 720-777-1234.

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