The three major causes of injury and mortality among children in the state of Virginia are, in order of frequency, automobile-related accidents, poison ingestion, and suicide. With respect to injuries sustained in automobile accidents, adults traveling with children by car must accept responsibility for the safety of child passengers. Acute poisonings, the most common pediatric medical emergency, account for about 10 percent of emergency room contacts and about 5 percent of hospital medical admissions. Nearly all poisonings are accidental and involve children less than 10 years of age. The true incidence of lead poisoning is difficult to assess, however. Presently, there is no statewide lead poison screening and prevention program in Virginia, and all local programs will terminate at the end of 1982. While a health department employee visits school systems and instructs officials in methods of dealing with asbestos, funds for protecting children from asbestos poisoning are inadequate. With regard to the third leading cause of injury and death in children, conditions that precipitate suicidal acts in young people have become more intense, including such factors as broken relationships with parents and substance abuse. Some problems of adolescents may be solved through wide use of, and destigmatization of, community-based mental health service agencies. Citizen advocacy and involvement are needed to insure the implementation of community, regional, and statewide programs addressing these problems. (RH)