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Objective This article describes the epidemiology of child pedestrian fatalities in British Columbia using data generated by the province's Child Death Review Unit, to demonstrate the unique capacity of child death review to provide an ecological understanding of child mortality and catalyse evidence based, multi-level prevention strategies. Methods All child pedestrian fatalities in British Columbia from 1 January 1 2003 to 31 December 2008 were reviewed. Data on demographics, circumstance of injury, and risk factors related to the child, driver, vehicle, and physical environment were extracted. Frequency of sociodemographic variables and modifiable risk factors were calculated, followed by statistical comparisons against the general population for Aboriginal ancestry, gender, ethnicity, income assistance and driver violations using z and t tests. Results Analysis of child pedestrian fatalities (n¼33) found a significant overrepresentation of Aboriginal children (p¼0.06), males (p<0.01), and children within low income families (p<0.01). The majority of incidents occurred in residential areas (51.5%), with a speed limit of 50 kph or higher (85.7%). Risky pedestrian behaviour was a factor in 56.7% of cases, and 33% of children under 10 years of age were not under active supervision. Drivers had significantly more driving violations than the comparison population (p<0.01). Conclusion Child pedestrian fatalities are highlypreventable through the modification of behavioural, social, and environmental risk factors. This paper illustrates the ability of child death review to generate an ecological understanding of injury epidemiology not otherwise available and advance policy and programme interventions designed to reduce preventable child mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the types and costs of unintentional injuries among adolescents transitioning to adulthood are examined to provide age-appropriate prevention strategies. The data were collected in 2003, 2005 and 2007, in which a total of 273 (41%), 228 (39%) and 176 (33%) youths, respectively, reported to be having at least one serious injury. The leading types of injuries were sprains/strains, broken bones and bruises. Most injuries occurred while playing sports, falling/tripping, biking or rollerblading, mainly in recreation centres (>12-15%), schools (<27-9%), and workplaces (>2-14.5%). Most injuries were treated at emergency departments, walk-in clinics and health professional's offices (68-84%). Prevention included: doing nothing; being more careful; giving up the activity and rarely, rehabilitation or physiotherapy. The total direct cost of treatment was $471,498, (Canadian) at a mean direct cost of $775 per injury. Improved sports training and educational strategies targeted at subgroups of adolescents are needed to reduce the human and economic burden of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]