Children at work: prevention of occupational injury and disease.

Because children are an isolated population that generally lacks a collective political voice, it is up to the rest of society to look after their well-being. The grim economic circumstances that plague impoverished nations around the world have resulted in many young children having to work to help their families survive. Often, these children have no choice but to work in dangerous places and under generally appalling conditions. Even in wealthy countries like the United States, the problems associated with child labor are a legitimate threat to our single most important investment for the future--the safety and health of our children.