in the European Union

Figure 6: Fatal injuries by causes of death, 15 – 24 years, EU27
Accidents caused by fire and flames 1%
Other transport accidents 2%
Accidental falls 3%
Homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons 3%
Accidental drowning and submersion 4%
Accidental poisoning 4%
Suicide and selfinflicted injuries 21%
Other causes 11%
Two good reasons for focussing on children and elderly
Motor vehicle traffic accidents 51%
The share of fatal injuries is highest in very young ages (Table 1). Deaths of children and teenagers are a catastrophe, both for the families
and the aging EU societies. Motor vehicle accidents, drowning and accidents caused by fire and flames are the top three causes of injury
deaths in children (Figure 5).
In absolute numbers, most of the fatal injuries in the EU affect the elderly (Table 1). At an advanced age “simple falls” often trigger a sequence
of lengthy and costly treatments, and often lead to death. Thus, the main cause of injury death in the elderly are falls. The demographic
development in the EU adds further relevance to fall prevention measures (Figure 7).
Figure 7: Fatal injuries by causes of death, 65+ years, EU27
Other causes 31%
Homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons 1%
Other transport accidents 1%
Accidental drowning and submersion 2%
Accidents caused by fire and flames 2%
Accidental poisoning 2%
Motor vehicle traffic accidents 10% Suicide and selfinflicted injuries15%
INJURIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION – MORTALITY
Source: WHO Mortality Database, 3 year average of latest available years (mostly 2002-2004). Data presentation: Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit (KfV), 2007
Accidental falls 36%
Source: WHO Mortality Database, 3 year average of latest available years (mostly 2002-2004). Data presentation: Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit (KfV), 2007
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