Mission

To reduce the incidence of brain and spinal cord injuries and fatalities in Oregon by providing age-appropriate injury prevention education to youth in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Founded in 1986 at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), ThinkFirst Oregon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating our state's youth in the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries. Think First Oregon's medical director is Edward A. Neuwelt, MD, a neurosurgeon and professor at OHSU.

Through innovative classroom presentations and course work, Think First's programs are designed to help young children and teens develop lifelong safety habits to minimize their risk of sustaining brain, spinal cord or other traumatic injuries.

Most importantly, Think First teaches young people ways to avoid behaviors and situations that put them at risk. Our message is that you can enjoy a fun, exciting life and be safe if you "think first" and use your mind to protect your body.

Since its inception, Think First Oregon has reached more than 220,000 young people. Through a network of more than 250 local, statewide, and international chapters, 9.4 million children, teens, and adults have participated in Think First programs worldwide.

The Think First programs were identified as an example of a best practice in the Comprehensive Community-Based Prevention Strategies category by LifeSpan Adaptation Projects, University of Toronto, in July 2000.

Our goal is to help students develop safety habits that will minimize their risks of sustaining a brain or spinal cord injury. Our intent is to make the learning experience fun, yet meaningful, and to involve not only teachers, but also parents and the community.

Visit the Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation at www.thinkfirst.org.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making Think First Oregon possible.