Research In Action

Read our latest roundup of notable child injury prevention news articles from March 2026.  

Car Seat Mistakes Put Kids at Risk

Most parents mistakenly believe any car seat is safe, but the NPR article explains that improper installation and misuse—far more than the seat’s price or model—are the biggest risks, with many seats used incorrectly and significantly reducing child safety.

Emotional Abuse in College Sports Often Goes Unchecked

An NPR investigation highlights how college athletes allege lasting psychological harm from coaches’ abusive behavior, revealing that emotional abuse is widespread yet poorly regulated and rarely leads to accountability within college sports systems.

Deadly Drugs Are Being Smuggled on Paper

A New York Times report reveals that traffickers are increasingly infusing paper with powerful synthetic drugs, creating a hard-to-detect and highly lethal form of smuggling that is driving overdoses while outpacing authorities’ ability to control it

Concussion History Predicts Early Post-Retirement Health Outcomes

Lifetime concussion history is the strongest predictor of worse self-reported health in former college athletes within five years of retirement, though most still remain within normal clinical ranges during this early period.

Youth Firearm Deaths Surge with Stark Racial and State Disparities

An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that firearm deaths among children and adolescents have risen sharply over the past decade, driven largely by gun assaults, with disproportionately high rates among older teens, Black and American Indian youth, and wide variation across states. Rates slightly declined in 2024 but remain above pre-pandemic levels