Bulletin 11 - The state of play
![[Previous]](/images/arr_prev.gif)
![[Next]](/images/arr_next.gif)
![[Up]](/images/arr_up.gif)
![[Top]](/images/arr_top.gif)
The state of play
Data capable of identifying the scope of major issues are available. The
data may also be used to identify causes in a more detailed manner but do not
meet the needs those who wish to undertake the detailed analysis necessary for
planning prevention. There is a need to overcome this through more detailed
surveillance and by specific research studies.
There is only a limited understanding of why young men injure themselves so
frequently and so severely. The analyses in this Bulletin are based on a
cross sectional approach. Little is known about cohort effects and cohort
studies are needed to determine whether the emerging generation of young males
have similar or different patterns of injury compared with previous cohorts.
There is little in the way of sound analysis to determine whether there
are common factors which influence all or many of the types of injury suffered
and even less about whether an approach to injury prevention targeted across
causes at young males would be beneficial. It is apparent that as some young
men develop, exposures to new hazards come more rapidly than the skills to
manage them. The men's health movement suggests that socialisation contributes
to many health problems and is a fertile ground for attention. Success with
transport related death rates gives credence to environmental and mass
education strategies. There is however no systematic way of transferring what
is learnt in one area to another. Injury to young males needs to be considered
as a whole and then it can be determined what mix of strategies targeted at
specific causes and what overlay focussing on the whole issue is required.
Young people are not an easily accessible group. Young adulthood is a period of
transition. Unlike children who can be accessed through child health services
or schools and adults who can be accessed via the workplace, young people have
many and varied affiliations. It is likely that those of highest risk of injury
are also the hardest to reach. This presents a challenge for policy makers.
|