Doctor Issues Urgent Warning: Five Deadly Trends to Avoid

Dr. Leana Wen, a physician and former Baltimore City Health Commissioner, has issued a stark warning about five common behaviors that can lead to serious injury or death. After observing a surge in preventable accidents, she urges the public to take these risks seriously.

1. Electric Scooters, E-bikes, and Hoverboards: A Growing Danger

• The popularity of electric scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards has led to a significant increase in accidents.
• In the UK alone, between 2020 and 2023, e-scooter collisions resulted in 29 deaths and thousands of injuries.
• Dr. Wen emphasizes the heightened risk when these devices are operated under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as reaction times are slowed and control is diminished.
• Safety advocates are calling for stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent further injuries.

2. Texting While Driving: A Persistent Threat

• Despite repeated warnings, distracted driving, particularly due to mobile phone use, remains a major cause of traffic accidents.
• Dr. Wen stresses that any activity that diverts attention from the road, such as texting, emailing, or taking videos, poses a severe danger to everyone on the road.
• Official statistics show an increase in fines issued for using handheld devices while driving, highlighting the ongoing problem.
• Campaigns have worked to increase penalties for this dangerous activity.

3. Unsafe Social Media Challenges: A Deadly Trend

• Viral social media challenges, such as “chroming” and the “Blackout challenge,” have led to severe injuries and fatalities, especially among children.
• Dr. Wen warns against the dangers of these trends, citing cases where children have overdosed or suffered brain damage.
• One tragic example given is that of a teen who died after participating in a dangerous allergy drug challenge.

4. Taking Unknown Pills: A Risk to Your Health

• Dr. Wen cautions against taking any medication not prescribed by a doctor, even if offered by friends or family.
• Counterfeit or unregulated drugs pose a significant health risk, as their contents are unknown.
• Online pharmacies are a large source of unregulated and dangerous medications.

5. Leaving Children Unattended Near Water: A Fatal Mistake

• Drowning is a leading cause of death among young children.
• Dr. Wen emphasizes the importance of constant supervision around pools, lakes, and other bodies of water.
• Implementing safety measures, such as pool gates, and teaching children water safety skills can help prevent drowning accidents.
• Statistics show an increase in child drowning deaths.