While we are just beginning our efforts as a member of the national Injury Free Coalition for Kids campaign, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has a proud history of supportive care for the children and families in West Philadelphia. While combating gun violence is a prominent challenge for many urban cities in the United States, we are equally emphasizing the importance of bringing about a reduction in the unintentional injuries. Approximately 16,000 children visit our Emergency Department every year and unintentional injury is the leading cause of these visits. Over 60,000 children under the age of 18 live and play in our West Philadelphia neighborhood, over 60,000 young boys and girls who are at risk for unintentional, and potentially preventable, injury. An injured child impacts not only family and friends, but also our community.
Children are our future.
Therefore, we need to make an active investment in their lives. The goal of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Philadelphia is to do just that by creating a safe neighborhood for a safe childhood. Following an assessment of the injuries occurring in the community and formation of a broad-based, multidisciplinary Coalition, our efforts will focus on injury prevention education, improvement of the physical community to eliminate hazards, the creation of safe play areas, and the development of safe activities for children. Through our connection with The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Trauma Program, we are able to collaborate with the doctors, nurses, and trauma prevention educators already working hard for the welfare and care of West Philadelphia's children. The Trauma Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been established to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for injured children.