title: Injury-prevention practices as depicted in G- and PG-rated movies, 2003-2007.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our goal was to determine if the depiction of injury-prevention practices in children's movies is different from what was reported from 2 earlier studies, which showed infrequent depiction of characters practicing recommended safety behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The top-grossing 25 domestic G-rated (general audience) and PG-rated (parental guidance suggested) movies per year for 2003-2007 were included in this study. Movies or scenes were excluded if they were animated, not set in the present day, fantasy, documentary, or not in English. Injury-prevention practices involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, boaters, and bicyclists were recorded for characters with speaking roles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-seven (54%) of 125 movies met the inclusion criteria for this study. A total of 958 person-scenes were examined: 524 (55%) depicted children and 434 (45%) adults. Twenty-two person-scenes involved crashes or falls, resulting in 3 injuries and no deaths. Overall, 311 (56%) of 555 motor-vehicle passengers were belted; 73 (35%) of 211 pedestrians used crosswalks; 60 (75%) of 80 boaters wore personal flotation devices; and 8 (25%) of 32 bicyclists wore helmets. In comparison with previous studies, usage of safety belts, crosswalks, personal flotation devices, and bicycle helmets increased significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The entertainment industry has improved the depiction of selected safety practices in G- and PG-rated movies. However, approximately one half of scenes still depict unsafe practices, and the consequences of these behaviors are rarely shown. The industry should continue to improve how it depicts safety practices in children's movies. Parents should highlight the depiction of unsafe behaviors and educate children in following safe practices.
authors.affiliation: MSPH, USAID/President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), GH/HIDN/3.7.105, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20523, USA. jjt9@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Jon Eric
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tongren
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sites
authors.forename: Katharyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zwicker
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pelletier
mesh_terms: D000056:Accident Prevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009040:Motion Pictures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*