Youth Safety Symposium

Posted by on April 13, 2009

PA Health Dept. sponsors youth safety symposium

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is holding a series of symposia throughout the state to increase efforts to promote and enhance youth safety in the Commonwealth.

The events are being held in partnership with the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Organizations for Youth Safety.

In Pennsylvania, from 2004 through 2006, unintentional injury deaths were the number one cause of injury death for youth ages 19 and under with 1201 deaths and 32,152 unintentional injury hospitalizations. Injury and violence are serious threats to the health and well-being of children and adolescents in Pennsylvania.

From 2004 to 2006, 64% of all injury deaths and 80% of all injury hospitalizations among this age group were unintentional. During this time, the three leading causes of injury deaths among these youth were motor vehicle crashes, firearms, and suffocation. The three leading causes of injury hospitalizations among this age group were falls, poisonings, and motor vehicle crashes. This population is at a heightened risk for many injuries that can lead to death or disability.

The regional Youth Safety Symposium for southeastern Pennsylvania will be held on Tuesday, May 19th from 9:30am to 2pm at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington.  To register, send a fax to Stephen Gensemer, Violence and Injury Prevention Program Assistant Administrator, at 717-783-5498.