Injuries Among Children and
Adolescents
Injury
and violence are serious
threats to the health and well-being of children and adolescents in the
United States.
Children and adolescents are at high risk for many injuries that can
lead to death or disability. Through research and a
range of activities, CDC's Injury Center is working to protect young
Americans from the threat of injury. Below is a directory of links to
more information about the types of injury and violence that pose the greatest threat to
American youth.
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Child
Maltreatment
Each year, hundreds of thousands of children suffer abuse or neglect. In most cases, the abuser is someone known to the child—a parent, family member, teacher, or regular caregiver. Survivors are at increased risk for smoking, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, suicide, and other negative health outcomes.
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Child
Passenger Safety
Motor vehicle injuries are the greatest public health problem facing children today. In fact, they are the leading cause of death among children in the United States.
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Fireworks-Related Injuries
All fireworks are dangerous, especially to children. -
Parent Leadership Month Overview
Every day parents and other caring adults can take steps to prevent injury and violence among children.
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Playground
Injuries
Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries.
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Poisonings
Children, especially those under age 6, are more likely to have unintentional poisonings than older children and adults. Adolescents are also at risk for poisonings, both intentional and unintentional.
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Residential Fire-Related
Injuries
Children ages 4 years and younger are among those at highest risk for residential fire deaths and injuries.
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Suicide
Suicide rates among youth remain unacceptably high. It is the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.
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Traumatic
Brain Injury
Among children ages 0 to 14 years, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result in an estimated 400,000 emergency department visits each year.
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Water
Safety
Drowning is the second leading cause of injury death among children 14 years and younger. And for every child who drowns, three receive emergency department care for non-fatal submersion injuries.
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Young
Drivers
Two out of five deaths among U.S. teens are the result of a motor vehicle crash.
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Youth Violence
Youth violence typically involves children, adolescents, and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. The young person can be the victim, the perpetrator, or both. Youth violence includes aggressive behaviors such as verbal abuse, bullying, hitting, slapping, or fistfighting.
