Elizabeth Towner
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Elizabeth Towner | |
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| Known for | child health; unintentional injury |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Newcastle; University of West of England |
Elizabeth Towner was professor of child health at the University of the West of England. She took a first degree in geography at Durham University and subsequently has had a career in public health. The focus of her research was into translating theories of public health and records of unintentional injury to children into practical measures to reduce these risks, with road traffic injuries, drowning, poisoning, burns and falls being the most important causes. These injuries can take place anywhere, but there are specific concerns and safety measures possible for road traffic, children's centres, when cycling or playing near water and in the home.[1] Since death from childhood illness has reduced, injuries have become the major cause of death in children and teenagers (aged 10 – 19) in many countries. Further millions of children require treatment for their injuries and may result in long-term disabilities. In 2004 she was a member of the World Health Organization's Child Injury Prevention Planning Group for the World Report on Child Injury that reported in 2008.[2][3][4] She has also been part of international collaborations examining unintentional childhood injuries outside the UK.[5]
Following her retirement around 2013, Towner has written a book about a nineteenth-century botanical artist, Margaret Rebecca Dickinson.[6] She and her husband John are keen member of the Berwickshire Naturalists Club and they have published their book on "Apples and Pears: A History of Orchards in the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland".[7]