Each year an estimated 500,000 persons sustain brain and spinal cord injuries in the United States. The most frequent causes of these injuries are motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports, recreational activities and violence. Children and teens are at high-risk for these devastating injuries, many of which are preventable. ThinkFirst, the National Injury Prevention Programs award-winning public education efforts target this high-risk age group.

These upbeat programs educate young people about personal vulnerability and risk taking. The message is that you can have a fun-filled, exciting life, without hurting yourself if you "ThinkFirst" and use your mind to protect your body. More than 8 million young people have heard the ThinkFirst message.