The over-all rates of death in childhood decreased five to ten fold during the first half of the century, with the greatest drop occurring in deaths due to infections. The death rate due to accidents has shown a relatively slight decrease; hence, accidents are now the leading cause of childhood death, and in California account for 32 per cent of the deaths in the group 1 to 15 years of age. In California, and among certain insured groups of children, cancer is the leading or second leading cause of death due to disease. There is indication that the incidence of leukemia is increasing in early childhood and in the older age groups.Accidents, the leading cause of childhood death, do not happen; they are caused, and so can be prevented. The medical profession should concern itself much more actively in the field of accident prevention.