Unintentional injury prevention efforts for young children: levels, methods, types and targets

Unintentional injury is the leading killer of children in the United States. Although many may consider such injuries to be accidents, the majority of unintentional injuries are preventable. This article reviews research on programs intended to prevent injuries in young children. The article examines levels of intervention (e.g., national, community, family, and individual), methods of intervention (e.g., legislation, education, and behavioral training), types of intervention (e.g., passive and active), and targets of intervention (e.g., families, caregivers, and children). The paper also suggests a means of categorizing types of interventions along a numerical continuum from most passive to most active.