Perspective in the Prevention of Childhood Injuries in the Czech Republic

Overview

Childhood injuries belong to the most frequent present public-health problems in the Czech Republic. Despite of certain preventive efforts, incidence and mortality have not been significantly improved so far. The study deals with the most recent epidemiology of children injuries and describes possible trends. The UN convention determines that the child has a right for the highest accessible health care and a right for safe environment. The prevention of injuries is listed among the main goals of the WHO – Health 21, interdisciplinary program, approved by the Governmental Ruling No. 1046/2002. It is aimed to decrease the rate of injuries and invalidity of children as a consequence of injuries and violence by 50% until 2020. This ambitious goal may be reached only by consistent implication of Haddon’s strategies in the injury prevention and fulfillment of the recommendation of European Child Safety Alliance. The Intersectoral Working Group for the Prevention of Childhood Injuries, established at the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic in 2005 should significantly contribute there. The Working Group prepared and proposed to the Government for approval a Recommendation for the Prevention of Childhood Injuries as a basis for concerted activity in this area.

Key words:
childhood injuries, prevention, development