How safe are our schools?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to provide national estimates of the frequency and cost of school injuries. METHODS: Six years of National Health Interview Survey data were used to estimate nonfatal injury incidence rates, multiple sources were used to estimate fatalities, and national highway crash data were used to estimate school bus injury incidence. RESULTS: Each year, 3.7 million children suffer a substantial injury at school, resulting in an estimated $3.2 billion in medical spending and $115 billion in good health lost. Nonschool fatalities greatly exceed school fatalities; from an incidence per hour perspective, however, school hours are no safer than nonschool hours despite greater formal supervision. School bus injuries account for half of school injury deaths but less than 1% of total school injury costs. CONCLUSIONS: Nonfatal injury is a problem in schools. The concentration of injury at secondary schools suggests that interventions there may be most cost-effective. Data on school injury causes are greatly needed.