Better than cure: Injury prevention policy

Article

Injuries are the leading cause of preventable death in children and young people, and of preventable years of life lost up to age 65. As such, they present a significant cost to individuals, society, and the economy. They also contribute to injustice, with children from poorer backgrounds being more likely to die as a result of an injury.

Crucially, injuries are preventable. Although the UK has been a world leader in injury prevention policy, austerity and a lack of strategy have hampered further improvement. In a post-pandemic society, the government should act on the renewed focus on public health to address the disconnect between the importance of injury prevention and its neglect in terms of funding, enforcement and strategy, to make the safety of the people the highest law.

Related items

  1. Close-up Of Woman Sitting On Sofa Texting Message On Smartphone

    A better deal: Tackling the NEET crisis

    Around a million young people in the UK are now not in education, employment or training (NEET), the highest number for more than a decade.
  2. A diverse group of neighbours going on a group walk in a residential area, warpped up in warm coats

    From strangers to citizens: Membership and belonging in an age of migration

    Who should become a British citizen in an age of growing mobility and migration?
  3. The Scottish parliament building rises in the backdrop, foregrounded by a pond, trees and a lawn. Blue skies overhead

    Rebuilding Scotland's "New Politics": a constructive parliament to build trust in Scottish politics

    Political disillusionment is growing in Scotland, and policy is not delivering. MSPs who did not stand for re-election this year share how the parliament currently works and could be improved.