Injuries and violence in Europe. Why they matter and what can be done

Injuries lead to huge human, financial and other costs to society. In the WHO European Region, road traffic injuries, drowning, poisoning, falls, fires, self-inflicted injuries and interpersonal violence are estimated to kill over 2000 people, put 60 000 others in hospital and necessitate outpatient emergency treatment for 600 000 more every day. But the evidence shows that they can be predicted and prevented.

This book provides detailed data on the harm to individuals and societies that is done by unintentional injuries and violence. Describing injuries by cause and setting and violence by type, it specifies the damage done using the variables of gender, age and country income. It shows that the WHO European Region includes both high-income countries that are among the safest in the world, and low-to-middle-income countries with very high rates of death and disability from injuries and violence.

Having depicted the problem, the book turns towards solutions that can save not only lives but also social and economic costs, giving examples of programmes that could be more widely applied. A separate summary for policy-makers is also available. The authors argue that the most effective approach is for all sectors of society to tackle injuries and violence together, and propose a public health framework for action, highlighting some of the key steps that need to be taken. This 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 on the WHO European Region.