The Invisible Epidemic: Unintentional Injury in Children
Injury and violence are a major killer of children throughout the world, responsible for approximately 1 million deaths in those under the age of 19 years annually. That is more than 100 children dying needlessly every hour of every day. Unintentional injuries, which include drowning, poisoning, fires, burns, falls, and motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian-related crashes, account for almost 90% of these deaths. Child unintentional injuries as an issue have been neglected for many years, and have been largely absent from child survival initiatives presently on the global agenda. Yet these injuries are preventable and evidence-based prevention strategies exist. This session will introduce child unintentional injury, discuss current trends impacting the burden (e.g., motorization, globalization) and highlight public health approaches to their prevention.