when taken together,mean that non-fatal injuries are likely to make a substantial contribution to the overall burden of injury.For instance,according the Innocenti study,in the OECD nations alone annually there are 50 million accident and emergency department visits and 4 million children hospitalized for injuries(2). In sum,while absolute numbers,proportions and rates vary,it is clear that injury is a universally significant cause of death and hospitalization among children and adolescents throughout the world. REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT INJURY MORTALITY RATES,2002 (under 15 years) Injury mortality rate per 100 000 population ■5.0-9.9 ■10.0-19.9 ■20.0-29.9 ■30+ WHO 97440 2. Injury:prevalence,risk factors and impacts Definitions and classifications Age groups There is no universally agreed definition as to what constitutes a child or an adolescent.The defined age range of a child or adolescent can,however,have important implications;for example,it can govem the age at which young people enter the formal workforce and/or acquire the legal right to drive a vehicle or to drink alcohol.It is interesting to note that a"child"in one setting may be a"worker"in another. For the purpose of this document a child Definitions in current use tend to have evolved either through common practice,as a result or adolescent is a of legal issues or simply from convenience.Some definitions are linked to changes in development and ability.As children age,grow and develop,their physical and cognitive person under the age abilities,their degree of dependence,the activities they undertake and their risk behaviours of 18 years. change substantially.Often it is these factors that are found to be associated with variations in the incidence and patter of injury and death.




























































































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