EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DEATHS AND INJURIES AMONG PRE-SCHOOLERS AS PASSENGERS IN CARS. AN ANALYSIS OF A HEALTH PROBLEM IN NEW ZEALAND AND AN EVALUATION OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The low international ranking of New Zealand for pre-school (age 1-4) mortality rates is to a great degree caused by high traffic accident mortality rates. The New Zealand rate for this cause of death is about four times higher than in Sweden, which has the lowest overall preschool mortality rate in the world. More than half of traffic deaths and injuries in this age group occur among car passengers. Restraints for children have been effective in protecting them against injuries in car accidents. The available data indicate that the Swedish backward-facing child seats installed in the front of the car have the best safety record of all different types of child restraints. Experimental data also indicate that they would protect the child best against deceleration forces in a frontal collision. A rough cost-benefit analysis indicates that the New Zealand Department of Health may save money by investing in child safety seats for every child that travels in a car. The cost of such seats may be lower than the cost of medical care, rehabilitation, etcetera, for the injured children. Language: en