European report on child injury prevention

Abstract

Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in children. This report presents evidence on how they can be prevented, and calls for greater commitment and action from policy-makers and practitioners to decrease the burden of injuries. Every year, nearly 42 000 children and teenagers aged 0–19 years die from unintentional injuries in the European Region, where injuries are the leading cause of death in children aged 5–19; 5 out of 6 of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Irrespective of country income, the burden falls disproportionately on children from the most disadvantaged groups. The leading mechanisms of unintentional injury death in children are road traffic crashes, drowning, poisoning, thermal injuries and falls. Whatever the mechanism, the main causes of injury and their underlying socioeconomic and environmental determinants are similar. Children are particularly vulnerable to injuries, and need special consideration to safeguard their right to health and to a safe environment, free from injury. The evidence base for prevention programmes is presented in this report. Health systems and in particular child health programmes throughout the European Region should prioritize child injury prevention and control.