The community approach to pediatric injury control. Concept and practical implementation: the Boulogne-Billancourt program for 1998-2002.

Pediatric injuries are a worldwide public health problem that requires majo r preventive efforts. Passive prevention based on regulations and legislati on forms the basis for injury control, of which another facet is health edu cation and information. The <<safe community>> model developed in some Scan dinavian countries has proved effective. This model is based on indepth kno wledge of local hazards and on targeted efforts made possible by participat ion of the population and networking among organizations involved in injury control. The model should be set up for a period of time that is long enou gh to allow a meaningful evaluation of its effects. This article describes the various phases of the first French community program for pediatric inju ry control, which was set up in Boulogne Billancourt in September 1997.