World report on child injury prevention

TLDR

Every year, about 830,000 children die from unintentional injuries, most of which occur in low‑ and middle‑income countries, despite the existence of numerous prevention strategies. The report seeks to integrate injury prevention into child survival programmes and to raise awareness of effective strategies, aiming to reduce deaths and disability. It documents the global magnitude, risks, and prevention measures for child injuries, focusing on drowning, burns, road traffic injuries, falls, and poisoning. The report presents seven concrete policy recommendations and serves as a key advocacy tool to guide global action on child injury prevention.

Abstract

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.