Implementation of a system of surveillance of childhood injuries involved in a Safe Community program: the example of Boulogne-Billancourt (France).

OBJECTIVES To provide precise information about child injuries, intended to promote preventive actions, in keeping with the general pattern of a Safe Community program implemented in Boulogne-Billancourt (France) since 1997. METHODS Information about children under 16 injured in the city of Boulogne-Billancourt and its surroundings, are extracted in a database. DISCUSSION The Boulogne-Billancourt database is the first permanent and specific childhood injury surveillance system in France integrated in a "Safe Community". It may constitute an "alarm system" by allowing rapid implementation of preventive action. The final evaluation of the collected data will be performed at the end of the program (after five years).