Video reminds us that people don’t look like the crash test dummies of old

The University of Michigan’s Michigan Medicine organization—which includes the medical school, nursing opportunities, clinical research and more—has been involved in the development of new crash test dummies that address the fact that the American population is getting heavier. Its work has earned first place in the “Public Relations Video” category of PR Daily’s 2018 Video and Visual Awards.

The university was involved in the development of the original crash test dummy program. Working with engineers at manufacturer Humanetics, the organization oversaw the creation of a 273-pound obese dummy (106 pounds heavier than the traditional model) as well as one to stand in for an overweight 70-year-old woman. The video points out that the new dummies were designed based on imaging data from actual crash victims that was provided to engineers.

Accompanied by a written piece, the video attracted coverage on CBS, NBC, the Discovery Channel and The Mirror. Views on YouTube stand at nearly 30,000; it has been viewed 10,000 times on Facebook, an admirable outcome given that the video cost Michigan Medicine nothing.

Congratulations to Shantell Kirkendoll, Bryan McCullough and Joe Hallisy.