European child Safety Alliance - EuroSafe, European Associatin for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion.

Report

www.enigma-program.gr

What is Injury Prevention?

Injuries are the most serious health problem facing children and youth today. One third of the total number of deaths from birth to age 14 is caused by injuries. During adolescence and young adult ages, the number of deaths caused by injuries rapidly increases to 75% and 90%, respectively. Throughout the five year period of 1991-95, the annual average of injury-related fatalities in Greece, with the exception of violent deaths (eg. murders, suicides, etc.), was 40 deaths per 100 000 persons of the general population. Documented injuries in the hospitals occur on a much larger scale than documented fatalities.

Experiences from other countries, where actions towards the prevention of injuries have already taken place, prove that with the appropriate strategies and intervention programs, the injury problem can be reduced. However, in order to successfully achieve this goal, there needs to be a continual and consistent effort in prevention intervention. These activities must coincide with the creation of public awareness, injury prevention training programs for children and parents, and should also reflect political actions for the implementation of related legislation.

Over the last decades, the injury fatality rate total illustrates a stable decline in EU countries, specifically in youth. However, this does not mean that action is not required, as social differences regarding injury fatalities are evidently existent. Meanwhile, facts show that a further reduction in accidents by 60% is possible, if appropriate policies and measures are implemented and regularly abided in EU countries.

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