Child injuries and violence

Children, from birth until 18 years, are highly susceptible to all types of injuries, millions of which occur each year. Nearly 900,000 children under the age of 18 are estimated to die worldwide each year from injuries. Most of these deaths occur in the developing world and within vulnerable communities, such as poor communities, urban slums and rural villages. Millions of children suffer injuries but do not die from them; unfortunately they are often left disabled or in need of care, sometimes for the rest of their lives. Road traffic injuries, drowning, burns, falls and violence all affect children, and as a result have a profound social and economic impact on their families and society.