Child Death Reviews: a Gold Mine for Injury Prevention and Control

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how child death review teams can be used to prevent future deaths through retrospective, multiagency case analysis & recommendations for educational programs & policy change. A listing was compiled of all deaths of persons 21 years & younger in Philadephia for 1995, & data were collected on demographic & circumstantial variables. 2.3% of all deaths in this age group were attributed to suicide. Relevant policies for prevention & intervention are discussed. (12 refs)