Regional overview of child injuries

Joanne VincentenEuropean Child Safety Alliance, EuroSafe

EURO Regional Consultation to discuss the World Report on child and adolescent injury prevention

July 2-3, 2007Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Injury, Risks and Prevention

Joanne Vincenten and Morag MacKayEuropean Child Safety Alliance, EuroSafe

Conference on the Health of Young People:Be Healthy, Be Yourself

Brussels, BelgiumJuly 9, 2009

Rank of leading causes of death among children and youth 0-19 years by age group

1-4 years 5-9 years 10-14 years 15-19 years

Lower resp. infections

Road traffic injuries

Road traffic injuries

Road traffic injuries

Diarrhoeal diseases

Drowning Drowning Self-inflicted injuries

Congenital anomalies

Lower resp. infections

Self-inflicted injuries

Violence

Drowning Leukaemia Leukaemia Leukaemia

MeningitisCongenital anomalies

Lower resp. infections

Poisoning

Road traffic injuries

Lymphomas, multiple myeloma

Congenital anomalies

Drowning

FiresUpper resp. infections

Lymphomas, multiple myeloma

Cerebrovascular disease

PoisoningCerebrovascular disease

ViolenceCongenital anomalies

Comparison of unintentional injury death rates in European region(Average standardised mortality rates for all unintentional injuries in children aged 0-19 years in the WHO European Region, 3 year average for 2003-

2005 or most recent three year period)

The clinical pyramid for injuries in children and youth

Risk

Risk

Risk

Risk

• Young children gradually learn to access risks and need adult assistance

• It is estimated that 40-60% of all youth injuries are attributed to alcohol consumption

• Transport related deaths and serious injuries occur mostly on weekend nights due to alcohol use, thrill seeking actions, non use of protective equipment, peer pressure and driver inexperience

• Young workers have more non fatal injuries than older workers

Risk taking behaviours

Yet injury is a major health problem that is preventable…

we have many proven solutions!

Examples of effective strategies…

Strategy Demonstrated effectiveness

Child passenger restraint systems 60-95% reduction in injuries

Child-resistant packaging for chemicals

50% reduction in hospital admissions

Regulating flammability of children’s sleepwear

75% reduction in sleepwear related hospital admissions

Window bars 35% reduction in deaths

Barrier fencing (4-sided) around private pools

95% more protection against drowning

Introduction of 32 Km/h speed limit zones

70% reduction in deaths

Correctly fitted bicycle helmets63-88% reduction in head and brain injuries

Motor cycle helmets29% reduction in death and 40% reduction in fatal head injury

Yet no country in the European region has adopted and implemented all of the proven effective solutions

European countries assessed on level of safety provided to children and youth

Key findings of policy measures

Strategy (existing, implemented and enforced)# out of

24

National law requiring use of child passenger restraint systems (CPRS)

22

National law requiring children to sit in rear seat to age 13 years 4

National law requiring child resistant packaging for chemicals 19

National law requiring environmental changes to prevent falls from windows

9

National law requiring barrier fencing for private swimming pools 3

National law requiring reduced speed in residential areas 18

National law requiring use of bicycle helmets while cycling 2(6)

National law controlling sale of fireworks 18

National standard for public swimming pools that mandates water depth markings, onsite equipment, suction outlet covers, etc.

13

National law requiring use of personal floatation device/life jacket while on the water (not just presence but actual use)

1(7)

National law requiring use of helmet while using moped motor scooter 23(1)

• Adopt, implement, enforce and evaluate proven prevention strategies at the national and EU level including undertaking actions to ensure effective transfer

• Establish inter-sectoral government committees at the EU and national levels to support multi-sectoral approach

• Ensure children and youth are included in planning solutions that work for them

Next steps for action on child and youth injury

For further information:

Child Safety Action Plan (CSAP)www.childsafetyeurope.org

Adrisk www.eurosafe.eu.com

Thank youTel: + 31 20 511 4513

Fax: + 31 20 511 4510

www.childsafetyeurope.org secretariat@childsafetyeurope.org