On The Map

Half of the world still uses open fires for cooking, heating and/or lighting. Every 3 seconds someone around the world suffers a burn injury. Woman and children in developing countries are at higher risk. More children die annually from burns than from HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. In Latin America, burns remain a public health crisis. Limited access to education and a lack of medical resources, presents ideal conditions and risk factors for a high incidence of children who are accidentally burned and/or born with cleft lip and palate in Central and South America.

Data gathered shows that the great majority of victims of accidental burns are children and 90% of these types of accidents happen at home, usually in the kitchen or at home backyard, due to garbage burning. Additionally, research indicates that an adult is present the majority of the time during these types of accidents. Burning with hot liquids is the main cause of accidental burns, followed by direct contact with hot objects and then fire.

Given that statistics clearly show that the population at higher risk are small children, and that the location where burn accidents happen is the home, most burns could be prevented if parents, teachers, and children were properly educated about burn prevention.

The Regional Program focuses on training in an educational capacity to enhance the knowledge and skills of health professionals through out Central and South America who are providing treatments for burns as well as cleft lip and palate.