The preceding article by Hawton and colleagues reporting on a prospective study of adolescents presenting with self-harm to Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) is one of the largest epidemiological studies to examine the long-term outcomes of self-harm in children and adolescents. After a median of 6 years nearly 30% re-presented to A&E with…

Process analysis provides a way to analyze the antecedents, stages of response, and consequences of injury-risk situations. It may aid scientists in conceptualizing these situations and provide additional methods of assessing intervention strategies. Examples of such an assessment system and a discussion of its advantages are presented. (VM)

The reduction of disability and death from childhood injury can be achieved through structural modifications which make environments less permissive. The structural approach suggests preventive strategies, but the strategies must be used, must not require frequent individual action, and must not depend on the behavior of the children. (VM)

Childhood injuries are discussed in the context of the following host factors: (1) age; (2) sex; (3) behavioral characteristics of the child; (4) family background; and (5) use of drugs and alcohol. These factors interact with the physical, socioeconomic, and legislative environment. Approaches to injury prevention are suggested for research…

While it is our responsibility as adults to protect our children from hazards that would inflict injury, it is also our responsibility to provide children with a safe play environment providing challenging opportunities to explore, practice, and reach personal levels of competence. Children learn their own play abilities and limitations through…

This article discusses risk management in the outdoor physical education or recreation setting from the perspectives of traditional approaches to the problem, the assumption of risk concept, and the characteristics and attitudes of the participants. Guidelines for evaluating a risk management plan are included. (IAH)

Examines the defenses of contributory negligence and assumption of risk for protection from liability for school athletic injuries. Advises school personnel to adhere to court decisions that define what schools owe their athletic team participants: (1) instruction; (2) supervision; (3) equipment; (4) medical treatment; and (5) selection and…

Humorist Louis Lippman describes how proper lecture etiquette requires a professor to twist repeatedly between screen and paying customers to read and explain his Powerpoint projections. Such Rotary Academic Whiplash invariably results in the gravest of musculo-pedagogical distress. (Contains 1 note.)

Those who design and develop playgrounds are caught between the desire to provide developmentally appropriate, challenging opportunities for play and the desire to restrict play challenges in order to reduce danger to children or the likelihood of being held liable for injuries. While there can be no argument against accident and injury…

Injury represents the leading cause of death and disability for US children and adolescents. Almost 16 million children are evaluated for injury each year in the United States. Although childhood injury rates are decreasing, 70% of all deaths among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years are injury related. Nonfatal injury is the leading cause…