Story Ideas for Media 1-14-08

Research

Emergency responders at high risk to miss work because of injuries. New research suggests that at any given time, almost 10 percent of the emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics in the United States miss work because of injuries and illnesses they suffered on the job.
A study examining how common these injuries are and tracking new cases of work-related injuries and illnesses in these professionals also suggests that in one year, an estimated 8.1 of every 100 emergency responders will suffer an injury or illness forcing them to miss work. Compared to data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of injuries requiring work absence among these first responders far exceeds the national average of 1.3 per 100 lost-work injury cases reported in 2006.
Researchers conducting the study, Jonathan Studnek, a Ph.D. candidate in epidemiology at Ohio State and John Crawford, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Ohio State’s College of Public Health, say that knowing how common severe injuries are in this population will help guide interventions designed to reduce the risks of injury. CONTACTS: John “Mac” Crawford, (614) 293-6804; or Jonathan Studnek, (614) 888-4484. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/emt.htm

Events

Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research to host U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown – Jan. 15. With gas prices in Columbus up nearly $1 per gallon from this time last year, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hold a media briefing at Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research (CAR) at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (1/15) to outline the need for a comprehensive national energy policy. Ohio State’s CAR, which is involved in advanced automotive research, is located at 930 Kinnear Road. CONTACT: Bethany Lesser, Office of Sen. Brown, (202) 224-3978 or Gina Langen, College of Engineering, (614) 688-4423.

Ohio State marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day with service, march – Jan. 21. Ohio State will commemorate the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day with two events:
*Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – The MLK Day of Service is held annually and brings together hundreds of Ohio State students and community members for a morning of community service in honor of King. Volunteers will check in for their assignments at 9 a.m. at Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. CONTACT: Cristen Porter ,(614) 247-6097.
*MLK Student March of Freedom – Ohio State students, faculty and staff will gather at 3 p.m. at the Frank W. Hale Jr., Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. to march from campus to Columbus City Hall for the citywide processional that will conclude at Veteran’s Memorial. CONTACT: Larry Williamson, (614) 292-0074.

The person listed as the CONTACT will have the most current information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276, Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748, Jim Lynch, (614) 247-4110, or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.