Canadian Injury Indicators Team: Child & Youth Policy Indicators

Injuries are the leading cause of death for Canadian children and youth (1-19 years of age), and are responsible for almost 15% of hospitalizations in this age group. Recent national consultations on injury research and a national injury prevention strategy have consistently highlighted the need for ongoing surveillance and support of evidence-based practice. The Canadian Injury Indicators Development Team has identified indicators in key child and youth injury areas. During the indicator development process, it was noted that while effective injury prevention interventions are ongoing, very little is known about injury prevention policies at the population level. The overall goal of this research is to investigate the following Policy Indicators and the associated risk factor and outcome indicators necessary for interpretation, uptake and action: (1)child restraint legislation, (2)graduated driver licensing legislation, (3)bicycle helmet legislation, (4)regulations requiring compliance with CSA playground standards, and (5)the presence of coordinated pediatric trauma services. Each of these indicators will be evaluated on three levels: the policy level (e.g. presence or absence of a helmet law), the risk factor level (e.g. observed bicycle helmet use), and the outcome level (e.g. hospitalization or death from bicycle-related head injury). The Canadian Injury Indicators Team will work collaboratively with stakeholders to complete an evaluative template and will be advised by the stakeholders as to the practicality and utility of the indicators. The Team selected the efficient approach of validating policy indicators first because they require assessment of selected risk and outcome indicators, are targeted at, and can be assessed at the population level, and because they evaluate policies that have been shown to reduce injuries (e.g. wearing a helmet), resulting in the improved health and well-being of Canadian children and youth.