An injury is any damage to your body, ranging from minor to life-threatening. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by falls, accidents, burns, assault, and many other factors. Injuries can occur at work or play, indoors or outdoors, on the road or in the comfort of your own home.
This section covers 4 very significant areas concerning injury: child injuries, traumatic brain injuries, road traffic injuries, and falls by the elderly.
Child injuries are a global health problem and the leading cause of death for children after their first birthday. Whether at home, school or play, you can help keep your children safe by following our simple tips to prevent child injury.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when there is an external force to the head that in some way injures the brain. Because this type of injury runs the risk of causing life-long complications or death, it is extremely important to learn ways to reduce the danger of traumatic brain injuries. We’ve created a section to help with this.
Many people die on the world's roads every day and tens of millions of people are injured or disabled every year. As a pedestrian, driver or passenger, it is essential to take precautions on the road. Educate yourself on good practices related to helmet and seat-belt wearing, driving responsibly, and being visible in traffic as a pedestrian.
The elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to injuries, particularly in and around the home, with falls being the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among this group. Drawing the attention of older people and their carers to fall prevention strategies can reduce the risk of injury. See our section Falls and the Elderly for more information.
Child injuries are a global health problem and the leading cause of death for children after their first birthday. In fact, more than 2000 children die every day from an injury that could have been prevented, according to the World Health Organization .
We all want to keep our children safe and secure, while encouraging them to learn and develop. Yet a large proportion of child injuries, including falls, burns or drowning, occur in either the home or in leisure environments. Many of these injuries are predictable and therefore largely preventable. The tips below outline some of the simple things that can be done to keep kids safe from injury.
Traumatic brain injury occurs when there is an external force to the head that in some way injures the brain. It can vary from a minor blow to the head to a life changing brain injury due to major trauma. Mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dizziness or light headedness. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain, which can lead to long-term complications or death.
Common causes of traumatic brain injuries are falls, motor vehicle accidents, assault, and sports or physical activity. According to Cleveland Clinic , traumatic brain injuries happen to males twice as often as they do to females, with males 15 to 24 years of age having the highest risk.
If any type of head injury results in loss of consciousness, no matter how brief, see a doctor as soon as possible. While not all traumatic brain injuries can be prevented, measures can be taken to reduce the risk of the injury. These include:
Nearly 3,400 people die on the world's roads every day and tens of millions of people are injured or disabled every year. Globally, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death in 10 to 19 year olds. In low-income and middle-income countries, most traffic deaths are among pedestrians, passengers in vehicles or on two-wheelers. In high-income countries, most deaths are among inexperienced drivers.
Promoting good practices related to helmet and seat-belt wearing, not drinking and driving, not speeding and being visible in traffic can make a big difference in reducing the amount of deaths and injuries on roads. Tips to prevent road traffic injuries include:
Improved living standards, better healthcare, and greater awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise have led to more and more people enjoying life into their 80s and 90s. However, older people are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to injuries, particularly in and around the home.
Falls are a leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents , the most serious injuries involving older people usually happen on the stairs or in the kitchen.
The good news is that injuries related to falls are highly preventable. By drawing the attention of older people and their carers to danger spots and unsafe habits, the risk of injury can be reduced. Follow these fall prevention strategies to reduce the likelihood of an injury:
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