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Injuries and Violence

First meeting of the National Focal Points for violence and injury prevention in WHO Euro Member States.

WHO/Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands Joint Meeting of the European National Focal Points for Violence and Injury Prevention, NH Leeuwenhorst, Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands - 17/18 November 2005

Unintentional injuries and violence are the third leading cause of death in the European Region, accounting for approximately 800,000 deaths in 2002. The burden is unequally distributed across the Region, both between and within countries, and it is to the largest extent borne by economically and socially vulnerable groups, as well as by children and young people under 45 years old. Injuries have a very significant effect on health, on health systems and on the economic and social development of Europe.

In October 2004, WHO European Member States were invited to appoint National Focal Points for violence and injury prevention, with a view to facilitating the exchange of relevant information and experience across the Region, and strengthening the regional and national capacity to advocate for injury prevention, promote evidence-based preventive strategies and develop cross-sectoral partnerships. In response to the WHO invitation, Focal Points have been appointed by forty-eight Member States, underlying the increasing interest and commitment to address this important public health issue.

This meeting was convened by WHO in collaboration with, and with the support of, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports and of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management of the Netherlands with the main goals of facilitating the establishment of the network of European National Focal Points for violence and injury prevention, and increasing collaboration between them and WHO.

WHCA helped to facilitate this process through the moderation of working groups at the Netherlands meeting.

For more information go to the Violence and Injury section of the WHO website: www.euro.who.int/violenceinjury.

For a copy of the meeting report, go to http://www.euro.who.int/document/VIP/FPs_%20meeting_%20report_FINAL_edited.pdf