Childhood Preventable Injuries and Deaths

Ana H. Corona, DNP, FNP-BCNursing ProfessorSeptember 2013

CDC, 2012

Childhood Preventable Injuries

Every hour 1 child dies from an injury

1 in 5 child deaths is due to injury

Every 4 seconds a child is treated for an injury in an emergency department

Injury Pyramid

Injury Pyramid145,655 Deaths

2,701,000 Hospitalizations129,000,000 Emergency Department Visits

65,555,000 Visits to Office-based Physicians 59,550,000 Injuries Requiring Medical Attention

National Center for Health Statistics (1999)

Problem IdentificationPreventable injuries are the leading cause of

death of children in the United States.Killing more than all childhood diseases

combined. Children < 5 years of age are at greatest risk.

Childhood Injury in CaliforniaCalifornia:

– About 2,200 children suffer fatal injuries.– 38,000 injuries require hospitalization.

United States:– >400 people die of injuries every day– 58 of the daily death toll are children

Childhood Preventable Injuries cost the United States:–>$11.5 billion per year.

Top 6 leading causes of fatal and nonfatal childhood preventable injuries in the United States:

1. 4,564 Motor Vehicle Accidents

2. 1,160 Suffocation3. 983 drowning4. 824 Poisoning5. 391 Fire/Burn6. 151 Falls

4,564 Deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents!

Always use seat belts, child safety seats and booster seats that are correct for child’s age and weight

Use safe-driving agreements or contracts with teens

1,160 Deaths caused by Suffocation!

Make sure infants sleep alone; place on their backs on a firm surface

Be sure crib meets safety standardsAvoid loose bedding or soft toys in crib

983 Deaths caused by drowning!

Learn to swim – important for parents and kids

Use a four-sided fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around pool.

Watch kids closely when they are in and around water

824 Deaths caused by Poisoning!

Keep medicines away from children and teens.

Keep cleaning solutions and other toxic products in originally packaging and where children can’t get them.

391 Deaths caused by Fire/Burn!

Use smoke alarms – where people sleep and on every level of the home – and test monthly.

Create and practice a family fire escape plan.

Install a home fire sprinkler system if possible.

151 Deaths caused by Falls!

Use a soft landing surface on playgrounds (such as sand or wood chips, not dirt or grass).

Use protective gear, like a helmet, during sports and recreation.

Install protective rails on bunk beds and loft beds.

Let’s Keep Our Children Safe!