Every day in the WHO European Region, injuries kill over 2000 people, put 60 000 in hospital and necessitate outpatient emergency treatment for 600 000. Injuries rank third amongst the Region’s major killers, after cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer.
The book provides detailed data on the harm to individuals and societies that is done by unintentional injuries and violence. It also looks at solutions that can save lives as well as social and economic costs. There is a separate summary for policy-makers.
The findings show that adopting a broader public health approach and implementing successful interventions more widely can significantly reduce the toll of injuries and violence on health. It calls for the development and implementation of multisectoral policy, and coalitions across dfferent levels of society to create safer physical and social environments and to promote safety.
The book identifies unique opportunities for policy-makers, civil-society organizations and professionals in the health sector to improve health by reducing the burden of injuries in the WHO European Region.
The book (68 pages) and summary booklet (25 pages) are available to download on the WHO Europe’s website.
