Predictable and Preventable: Historical and Current Efforts to Improve Child Injury Prevention

Background: Childhood injuries are a global epidemic. Accidents resulting in childhood injury and death were first identified as a concern over a century ago. However, “accidents” leading to injury were not recognized as being predictable and preventable until more recently. Objectives: To describe the worldwide epidemic of childhood injuries, and look at international successes in the field of injury prevention. Methods: Literature pertaining to injury prevention was reviewed to describe the history of childhood injury prevention, guiding principles of injury prevention, successful strategies for prevention, and future directions. Result and Conclusion: Through surveillance, evidence-based injury prevention initiatives, and multi-disciplinary collaboration, we anticipate further reduction in childhood injuries.