Regional overview of child injuries Joanne Vincenten European Child Safety Alliance, EuroSafe EURO Regional Consultation to discuss the World Report on child and adolescent injury prevention July 2-3, 2007 Amsterdam, The Netherlands Injury, Risks and Prevention Joanne Vincenten and Morag MacKay European Child Safety Alliance, EuroSafe Conference on the Health of Young People: Be Healthy, Be Yourself Brussels, Belgium July 9, 2009

Rank of leading causes of death among children and youth 0-19 years by age group 1-4 years5-9 years10-14 years15-19 years Lower resp. infections Road traffic injuries Diarrhoeal diseases Drowning Self-inflicted injuries Congenital anomalies Lower resp. infections Self-inflicted injuries Violence DrowningLeukaemia Meningitis Congenital anomalies Lower resp. infections Poisoning Road traffic injuries Lymphomas, multiple myeloma Congenital anomalies Drowning Fires Upper resp. infections Lymphomas, multiple myeloma Cerebrovascular disease Poisoning Cerebrovascular disease Violence Congenital 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 or most recent three year period)

The clinical pyramid for injuries in children and youth

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… StrategyDemonstrated effectiveness Child passenger restraint systems60-95% 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 bars35% 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 helmets 63-88% reduction in head and brain injuries Motor cycle helmets 29% 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 years4 National law requiring child resistant packaging for chemicals19 National law requiring environmental changes to prevent falls from windows 9 National law requiring barrier fencing for private swimming pools3 National law requiring reduced speed in residential areas18 National law requiring use of bicycle helmets while cycling2(6) National law controlling sale of fireworks18 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 scooter23(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) Adrisk Thank you Tel: Fax: