World Report on Child Injury Prevention

Every year, around 830 000 children die from unintentional or "accidental" injuries. The vast majority of these injuries occur in low-income and middle-income countries. However, dozens of prevention strategies and programmes exist. If they were integrated into other child survival programmes and implemented on a larger scale, many of these deaths and much of the injury-related disability could be prevented. Improved health services could also go a long way in reducing the consequences of these injuries.

To draw attention to this important public health problem and the possible solutions, WHO and UNICEF have produced this World report on child injury prevention with support from many experts. The report documents the magnitude, risks and prevention measures for child injuries globally –particularly for drowning, burns, road traffic injuries, falls and poisoning. The report makes seven concrete recommendations for policy-makers to improve child injury prevention. This new document is an important policy and advocacy tool for raising attention the issue and guiding action around the world.

Contents

• Foreword
• Contributors
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• 1. Child injuries in context
  • Background
  • The characteristics of child injury
  • The preventability of child injury
  • Conclusion
  • References
• 2. Road traffic injuries
  • Introduction
  • Epidemiology of road traffic injuries
  • Risk factors
  • Interventions
  • Conclusions and recommendations
  • References
• 3. Drowning
  • Introduction
  • Epidemiology of drowning
  • Risk factors
  • Interventions
  • Conclusions and recommendations
  • References
• 4. Burns
  • Introduction
  • Epidemiology of burns
  • Risk factors
  • Protective factors
  • Interventions
  • Conclusions and recommendations
  • References
• 5. Falls
  • Introduction
  • Epidemiology of falls
  • Risk factors
  • Interventions
  • Conclusions and recommendations
  • References
• 6. Poisoning
  • Introduction
  • Epidemiology of poisoning
  • Risk factors
  • Interventions
  • Conclusions and recommendations
  • References
• 7. Conclusion and recommendations
  • Introduction
  • Main messages from the report
  • Recommended actions
  • Translating recommendations into reality
  • Conclusion
  • References
• Statistical Annex Explanatory Notes

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization or UNICEF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.

The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization or UNICEF in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.

All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization or UNICEF to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization or UNICEF be liable for damages arising from its use.