SpineUniverse.com announces KidsPlanet website for kids.

SpineUniverse.com Launches Kid's Planet
Site Offers World of Discovery for Youths Seeking Spine Information

(Boca Raton, Fla. - 2 November 2000) - Kids suffering from back and spinal conditions can land on a world of discovery at Kid's Planet, a site from SpineUniverse.com geared for children ages 6-12.

SpineUniverse.com has teamed up with the Think First Foundation to create the site aimed at children diagnosed with scoliosis and other back conditions. The Think First Foundation, based in Illinois, is a non-profit national injury prevention organization, aimed at educating teens and youths.

"Kids will not only be able to search for the answers they've been looking for on back and spinal conditions on SpineUniverse's Kid's Planet, but enjoy the experience as well," said Randal Betz MD, of Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia. "Through our partnership with Think First, children can also turn to the site for important information on safety and other health issues."

"Forming a partnership with SpineUniverse.com will help us reach an even greater audience and hopefully prevent more brain and spinal cord injuries from occurring each year," said Bill Biebuyck, Think First Foundation CEO.

The Kid's Planet's colorful animated icons and games make learning about back and spinal conditions interactive. Children can have their questions answered by a medical professional by clicking on the "Ask a Nurse" link. The "Getting Better" link allows children to discover types of treatment for certain spinal and back conditions. The "What's Wrong" link outlines some of the symptoms of the conditions.

The site is safe for kids too: Web Planet abides by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which protects children's privacy and does not collect information on its visitors.

Spine safety is an important issue, as an estimated 500,000 people sustain brain and spinal cord injuries each year in the United States, according to Think First. Children and teens are at high-risk for these injuries, many of which are preventable. The Think First section of the link includes safety tips that are part of its public education effort aimed toward teaching young people to "think first" and use their minds to protect their bodies. Kid's Planet also contains a link to the Think First website, where additional details about their programs may be found.

Although back conditions are often associated with adults, of every 1,000 children, three to five develop spinal curves that require treatment. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common type of abnormal curvature and occurs after age 10. Girls are more likely than boys to develop this condition. In some cases, if left untreated, the curvature can worsen, causing a more severe deformity. The most common form of treatment is a back brace and sometimes surgery.

Originally called the National Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program when created in 1986 by The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), the name Think First was adopted as the program's new identity in May 1990.

The award winning SpineUniverse.com site is also allied with the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. The site has been honored as a "Best of the Web" by About.com and as a top rated site by MedExplorer. SpineUniverse offers information for both health career professionals and patients. Professionals can view videotaped surgery and articles reviewed by an editorial board, which contains many of the most respected names in the field. Patients can use the site to find a physician, learn about their condition and ask specialists questions.

Contact: Mary Hightower
Tilson Communications
561-417-7907