Every half an hour a young person dies of a fatal injury in Europe. This adds up to 20,000 young people losing their lives each year. Twice as many young people die of fatal injuries than all other causes of death combined such as cancer and diseases of the circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems. Yet according to the European AdRisk project, much can be done to prevent injuries among 15-24 year olds by understanding and addressing their risk-taking behaviour.
The EC financed AdRisk project, ‘Community Action on Adolescents and Risk- Taking’, now launched a package of materials and information targeted at policy- makers, stakeholders and professionals at both the European and national levels to help save the lives of Europe’s young people.