An approach to the epidemiology of childhood injuries

Population based epidemiologic data on injuries must be used to reassess conventional wisdom about injuries, and to target future efforts at preventing childhood injuries. More frequent and serious childhood injuries need to be addressed as well; these include pedestrian and bicycle-related injuries among preschool and elementary school age children, sports-related injuries, and motor vehicle occupant deaths and other injuries among teenagers. In fact, teenagers are at the greatest risk of injury related morbidity and mortality and deserve priority status for the development of prevention techniques. Finally, improving our understanding of the epidemiology of childhood injury will focus attention more clearly on opportunities for prevention. Such prevention will require the development of coalitions of health personnel with professionals and advocates in many fields. Physicians concerned with injury must begin to talk to engineers, law enforcement officials, public safety officials (fire, police), educators, public health professionals, advocates, and legislators. While we often see injury as a medical problem, the prevention of injuries cannot be undertaken by physicians alone. In the long run, only a multidisciplinary approach to injury prevention can be effective.