Reducing Childhood Injuries at Home: Battelle Studies Multiple Hazards

Battelle Findings Between 1985 and 1997, the rate of unintentional deaths (per 100,000 population) for children under 20 years was significantly reduced, but the proportion of deaths that occur at home increased slightly. Children 0 to 4 years of age had the highest rate of fatal residential injuries. Males consistently had higher death rates than females across all years, but females had higher proportion of deaths that occur at home. The risk of fatal residential unintentional injuries at home was greater for African American than White children. Trends vary according to the type and mechanism of injury, and the type and mechanism of injury varies for different age groups and race.

Public and private health programs have responded to the compelling scientific evidence that residential hazards have a significant impact on public health. For over a decade, Battelle has been a leader of research into these hazards, focusing on effective ways to measure and reduce exposures to lead and pesticides in residential environments. More recently, Battelle has focused on the multiple hazards children face in the residential environment and is currently working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop effective methods of assessment and mitigation of hazards associated with asthma, injuries, molds, pesticides, lead, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Currently, Battelle is conducting research on trends and risk factors in residential, unintentional injuries to children under the age of 20 using the National Center for Health Statistics’ mortality tapes from the years 1985-1997. The research is sponsored by HUD’s Healthy Homes Initiative (HHI) to reduce multiple hazards in children’s homes. Battelle’s analyses will answer many important questions. For example: Has the rate of fatal injuries continued to decrease since 1984? Is the trend consistent for the different types of injuries ranging from house fires to drowning? How does the rate vary for children of different ages? What are the impacts of differences associated with race, ethnicity and gender, season and region?

Preliminary results indicate that there are significant differences in rates for the different types of injuries as well as for other risk factors examined. The importance of this research is underscored by the fact that injuries are the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in the U. S. Of all unintentional injury deaths, those that occur in the home are the second leading cause of death, surpassed only by motor-vehicle-related deaths.

For more information contact Jyothi Nagaraja at (614) 424-7587, nagarajj@battelle.org.