This report describes the findings and methods of a systematic review of research relevant to accidental injury, risk-taking behaviour and the social circumstances of young people. This review was commissioned by the Department of Health (England) as part of a programme of work relating to accidental injury and will be used by the Accidental Injury Task Force (a cross-departmental body established to provide a basis for Government action) and others to develop new interventions and to identify future research needs. The review examines the number, types and quality attributes of existing research studies. It synthesises the findings of a large sub-set of these studies to assess the relationship between accidental injury, risk-taking and social circumstances. It then sets this information into a UK national policy context and examines international evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce accidental injury. The policy and practice implications of the findings of the review are discussed and recommendations for future interventions, development and research are made. (Author/publisher)
Abstract