NCJ Number
192389
Journal
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Volume: 50 Issue: RR-22 Dated: December 7, 2001 Pages: i-vi,1,73
Date Published
December 2001
Length
84 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes school health recommendations for preventing unintentional injury, violence, and suicide among young persons.
Abstract
The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed these guidelines in collaboration with specialists from universities and from national, Federal, State, local, and voluntary agencies and organizations. The guidelines emerged from an in-depth review of research, theory, and current practice in unintentional injury, violence, and suicide prevention; health education; and public health. The discussion notes that approximately two thirds of all deaths among children and adolescents aged 5-19 years result from injury-related causes, including motor vehicle crashes, all other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Schools have a responsibility to prevent injuries from occurring on school property and at school-sponsored events. In addition, schools can teach students the skills needed to promote safety and prevent unintentional injuries, violence, and suicide while at home, at work, at play, in the community, and throughout their lives. The recommendations for preventing unintentional injuries and violence focus on eight areas: (1) a social environment that promotes safety; (2) a safe physical environment; (3) health education curricula and instruction; (4) safe physical education, sports, and recreational activities; (5) health, counseling, psychological, and social services for students; (6) appropriate crisis and emergency response; (7) involvement of families and communities; and (8) staff development to promote safety and prevent unintentional injuries, violence, and suicide. Checklists, appended background information and lists of resources, and 380 references (Publisher summary modified)