Unintentional Injuries
Unintentional injuries are defined by Skolnik (2020) as “that subset of injuries for which there is no evidence of predetermined intent”. These injuries are of significance as they are among the leading causes of death and disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) globally (Skolnik, 2020). Skolnik (2020) shares the major causes of unintentional injuries around the globe which are road injury, poisonings, falls, fires and drownings. When it comes to prevention, a solid understanding of the most common causes for unintentional injury is crucial in improving the health outcomes of those most at risk.
In Singapore, the number of fatal road accidents was at a record low in 2019 after decreasing by 3.3% while there were also slight improvements of 2.4% in the incidence of injuries (Yusof, 2020). A survey conducted by Budget Direct Insurance (2020) has recorded that two-thirds of all pedestrian fatalities involved the elderly. Younger drivers in Singapore are at a greater risk for automobile accidents because they are inexperienced and more likely to engage in reckless behavior behind the wheel (Budget Direct Insurance, 2020). Traffic related data on accidental injuries and deaths sheds light on where there is need for improvement in terms of traffic control and road safety as well as driver training courses.
According to Ong et al. (2016), 37% of ER visits in Singapore result from childhood injuries. The Ministry of Health (2019) lists the most common childhood injuries as skin abrasions, cuts and burns; bone and joint injuries and breaks; impact injuries such as bruises, head injuries and eye injuries; and foreign object related injuries such as choking, poisoning, or lodging of objects in the ears and nose. Parents and caregivers can play a pivotal role in the prevention of childhood injury and should take steps to remove dangerous objects and add safety measures to the home or childcare when children are present.
