Accidents and serious injury
In the borough of Rochdale, the child mortality rate is 16.1 per 100,000 people, which is above the England rate of 10.3 but not significantly so (Office for National Statistics, 2018-20). The rate of children in the borough that have been killed or seriously injured on the roads is 15 per 100,000 people (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities 2018-20).
Causes of death and serious injury in young people
Death or serious injury in young people is rare both locally and nationally. In the UK the main causes of death for 5-19 year-olds are land transport accidents, suicide, cancer, other accidents and homicide. Deaths in childhood are not only a loss for the children's families but also a loss to wider society in terms of lost years of productive life (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, 2018).
Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death in young people in the UK and they're the most likely age group to be involved in transport accidents. Self-harm is one of the top 5 causes of medical admission and those who self-harm have a 1-in-6 chance of repeat attendance at A&E within the year.
Accidents and injuries in young people
The majority of accidents and injuries are preventable events but they are a major cause of hospitalisation and physical and mental ill-health in young people. They can also have a lasting impact on their lives. Injury reductions can be achieved at a low cost, particularly through parental education and local coordination (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2017).
Statistics on accidents and injuries in young people
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Unintentional injuries profile - this profile presents data on injuries suffered by children and young people in the home and on the roads.
Guidance on accidents and injuries in children and young people
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) - Reducing unintentional injuries among children and young people - this guidance proposes action areas for local authorities and their partners to help develop injury prevention strategies for children and young people.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) - Preventing unintentional injury in under 15s - this quality standard covers preventing unintentional injury in children and young people under 15. It includes local coordination of prevention strategies, advice and assessment to help prevent accidents in the home.