• WHAT: In an effort to protect children from head injuries and encourage fitness, the Texas Medical Association’s (TMA’s) Hard Hats for Little Heads program will give away nearly 1,500 bicycle helmets during Brain Injury Awareness Month in March.  
• WHEN:  March 3-29, 2012
• WHERE:  Across the state (see schedule below)  
• WHO:  TMA physicians, medical students, TMA Alliance members (TMA physician volunteers and TMA members’ spouses), and county medical societies (CMSs)  

Texas physicians want to ensure Texas children are wearing bicycle helmets, and wearing them correctly, to avoid head injuries.

Head injury is the most common cause of death and serious disability from bike crashes. Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, yet only about 50 percent of cyclists wear a helmet when they ride. Even fewer wear them correctly.

Throughout March, which is designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month, Texas children will receive free bicycle helmets at giveaway events across the state sponsored by TMA physicians and other volunteers. In some communities, the Texas Academy of Family Physicians has joined with TMA in this effort to promote safety and exercise. Parents and children will learn about the importance of wearing a helmet, especially one that fits properly.

TMA physicians encourage the use of helmets for every wheeled sport, including biking, skateboarding, inline skating, and when riding a scooter — as well as using the correct type of helmet for each sport. Doctors encourage children to ride their bikes or participate in other sports as often as possible to stay fit and healthy.

Below is a schedule of TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads events across the state. Look for one in your community. Reporters: For more information about TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program please contact Pam Udall or Brent Annear in TMA Media Relations Department).  

TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads Schedule: March, 2012 

TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads is made possible through a grant from the association’s philanthropic arm, the TMA Foundation, thanks to top donors — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Prudential, and an anonymous foundation — and gifts from physicians and their families. Since the program began, physicians and their families have given away more than 118,000 helmets to Texas children. TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 45,500 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.     

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