AIHI finds the number of children admitted to hospital due to falls from playground equipment is rising
New research published by the Australian Institute of Health Innovation finds injuries that require hospitalisation after a fall from playground equipment, cost the NSW health system more than $18 million over the 4.5 year study. Findings also showed an annual 10% increase in the hospitalisation rate of 5-9-year olds with injuries from playground falls.
AIHI researcher Mia Bierbaum said “Despite the implementation of national safety standards, the hospitalisation rate for injuries following playground falls in children remains high, as does the cost to the health system.”
Researchers Mia Bierbaum, Associate Professor Rebecca Mitchell and Professor Kate Curtis found that children aged 5-9 years old were the most likely to be injured and hospitalised for playground falls in NSW. Most of these injuries occurred at school or home; and the majority were as of a result of falls from trampolines and climbing apparatus, such as monkey bars.
The researchers said while the value of playgrounds and active play is recognised for childhood development, targeted injury prevention interventions and safety awareness campaigns to reduce the incidence of falls from playground equipment are needed.
“We want to encourage children to enjoy playgrounds, while ensuring their safety. We call for regulations to be introduced that will reduce the number of injuries from playground equipment falls, and urge parents and caregivers to promote safe play, and increase playground supervision” said Ms Bierbaum.
The research is published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Read the article here.
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Content owner: Australian Institute of Health Innovation Last updated: 19 Oct 2018 10:59am