UCI Health and Hyundai continue partnership to advance child passenger safety in Southern California

$25,000 donation from Hyundai Hope supports UCI Health Federally Qualified Health Center Car Seat Safety Program

Anaheim, Calif. — The UCI Health Family Health Center, the oldest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Orange County, has once again partnered with Hyundai Motor America to spread awareness of child passenger safety to local families.

Through Hyundai Hope, Hyundai's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai donated another $25,000 to support the UCI Health Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) locations in Anaheim and Santa Ana and its Car Seat Safety Program.

Now in its second year, the philanthropic collaboration hosted another car seat safety event on Oct. 3, that provided free education and inspections to families in need, reinforcing a shared commitment to community health.

Using and properly installing car seats reduces the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. However, research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows almost half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury.

Families that included new mothers giving birth soon or parents of children who are required to use car seats gathered at the UCI Health Family Health Center — Anaheim.

Those who attended the event met with certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians who educated caregivers on the correct installation and use of car seats. Technicians also inspected the seats for expiration dates, manufacturer recalls and proper fit, providing families with free replacements for any car seats that did not meet current safety standards.

"UCI Health is committed to educating families and caregivers about the importance of car seat safety regardless of their resources or background — our collaboration with Hyundai make this possible,” said Laurie Johnson, vice president, ambulatory care, UCI Health.

“Hands-on demonstrations, including proper installation and buckling, helps to prevent injuries and save lives.”

UCI Health Family Health Center — Anaheim, along with the UCI Health Family Health Center — Santa Ana, improve the health and well-being of patients by providing high-quality, accessible and comprehensive primary care to every member of the family, from newborns and children to teens and older adults. Both locations have a long-standing history of delivering innovative care through group medical visits and providing integrative health therapies and treatments, including acupuncture and mindfulness training programs, as well as a teaching kitchen.

The UCI Health Family Health Center is nationally recognized for providing excellence in care, reducing healthcare disparities, improving access to care and addressing social disparities. The centers in Santa Ana and Anaheim have been recognized among the country’s top Federally Qualified Health Centers by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Community Health Quality Recognition program. The centers have received several badges for excellence, including recognition as a Health Center Quality Leader. The Health Center Quality Leader badge reflects overall clinical quality measure performance, placing the UCI Health Family Health Center among the best in the nation.