Pediatric Injury Prevention, the EMSC, and the CDC

Abstract

Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children 1-18 years old in the United States, and many of these injuries are preventable. The Haddon matrix is a foundational concept of injury prevention, examining different phases and factors of the injury process to develop interventions. Primary prevention, including injury prevention, is the first phase of the Emergency Medical Services for Children continuum of care. As part of this continuum, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are integral components of the national prevention efforts to decrease unintentional injuries due to motor vehicle crashes and home and recreational injuries as well as intentional injuries. This article describes a brief history of the Emergency Medical Services for Children, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as injury prevention initiatives for some of the leading causes of pediatric injuries and child maltreatment.