Injuries were responsible for 14% of all child and adolescent deaths in Malta in 2010, according to National Child Safety Report Cards for 31 countries, released in Strasbourg.

The Report Cards examine and grade the adoption, implementation and enforcement of child injury prevention policies at national level for participating countries as part of the EU funded TACTICS project.

Injury is the leading cause of death and disability for children and adolescents aged 0-19 years in Europe.

No country received a grade of excellent, indicating room for improvement in all countries. Malta, together with 15 other countries, received an overall grade of good performance.

Malta had the lowest child and adolescent injury mortality rates for boys and ranked 9th for girls.

As in other EU countries, Malta has a greater uptake of transport related policies than those related to water safety and the prevention of home injuries. The report says more efforts are needed to enhance the adoption, implementation and enforcement of policies to reduce drowning, falls, burns and scalds, poisonings and choking.

The report authors said a multi-sectoral approach (e.g., working with health, transport, environment, education) becomes important to facilitate efforts at reducing child injuries.

"In these times of reduced resources it is wise to look for solutions that provide co-benefits to other issues in addition to injury prevention. For example, strengthening road safety infrastructure to increase the safety of child pedestrians and cyclists can encourage increased physical activity, which in turn can help address childhood obesity. Strategic investment in child and adolescent injury prevention will ensure a coordinated and evidence-based approach to protecting Malta's most precious resource – its children and adolescents."

EU Health Commissioner John Dalli was present for the publication of the report.