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Injury & Violence Prevention in the United States
Nationally, and in every state in the United States, injuries are the leading cause of death in the first 44 years of a person’s life.
“Injury is probably the most under-recognized public health threat facing the nation today.”
- The National Academy of Science, 1998
Injuries are a significant public health problem because of the impact on the health of Americans, including premature death, disability, and the burden placed on the health care system. More than 170,000 people die due to injury and violence each year.[1] Millions more are injured and survive, only to cope with lifelong disabilities. In fact, each year, nearly 30 million people are treated for injuries in U.S. emergency departments as a result of injuries and violence. [2] Injuries account for over 35% of emergency department visits annually. Hospital emergency departments treat an average of 55 people for unintentional and violence-related injuries every minute.
The financial costs of injuries and violence are staggering. In a single year, injury and violence will ultimately cost the U.S. $406 billion. This includes over $80 billion in medical costs (6% of total health expenditures) and $326 billion in lost productivity.[3]
When a public health approach is applied to the problems of injury and violence, in most cases these events can be prevented. Strategies for injury and violence prevention focus primarily on environmental design, human behavior, education, and legislative and regulatory requirements that support environmental and behavioral change.
Furthermore, preventing injuries is extremely cost-effective, and it is imperative that innovative and effective injury and violence prevention programs work to prevent premature deaths throughout the country, particularly among vulnerable populations of children, young families, and older adults.
Professionals working in injury and violence prevention work in a variety of areas (including, but not limited to):
- Assault & Homicide
- Bullying
- Child Maltreatment
- Child Passenger Safety
- Disaster Response
- Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence
- Drowning
- Falls
- Firearm Safety
- Fires & Burns
- Motor Vehicle Safety
- Pedestrian & Bike Safety
- Poisonings
- Sexual Assault & Rape
- Smart Growth & Community Design
- Suicide & Self-Inflicted Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Youth Violence
Public health efforts to prevent injuries have been highly successful. Nearly 240,000 lives were saved between 1966 and 1990 because of improved motor vehicle and highway design, increased use of safety belts and motorcycle helmets, and the enforcement of laws regarding drinking and driving and speeding.[4] Similar results are possible with other types of injuries. By making sound policy decisions and investing more resources in injury and violence prevention programs and services, injury and violence prevention programs can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of all Americans.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2005) cited August 31, 2008. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars.
[3]Finkelstein EA, Corso PS, Miller TR, Associates. Incidence and Economic Burden of Injuries in the United States. New York: Oxford University Press; 2006.
[4]Safe States Alliance. Safe States, 2003 Edition. Atlanta (GA): State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association; 2003.
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