Developing Well Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

Accidents and serious injury

In the borough of Rochdale, the child mortality rate is 16.1 per 100,000 people, which is above the England rate of 10.3 but not significantly so (Office for National Statistics, 2018-20). The rate of children in the borough that have been killed or seriously injured on the roads is 15 per 100,000 people (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities 2018-20).

Causes of death and serious injury in young people

Death or serious injury in young people is rare both locally and nationally. In the UK the main causes of death for 5-19 year-olds are land transport accidents, suicide, cancer, other accidents and homicide. Deaths in childhood are not only a loss for the children's families but also a loss to wider society in terms of lost years of productive life (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, 2018).

Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death in young people in the UK and they're the most likely age group to be involved in transport accidents. Self-harm is one of the top 5 causes of medical admission and those who self-harm have a 1-in-6 chance of repeat attendance at A&E within the year.

Accidents and injuries in young people

The majority of accidents and injuries are preventable events but they are a major cause of hospitalisation and physical and mental ill-health in young people. They can also have a lasting impact on their lives. Injury reductions can be achieved at a low cost, particularly through parental education and local coordination (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2017).

Statistics on accidents and injuries in young people

Guidance on accidents and injuries in children and young people