Injury Prevention

In any given year, an American under age 44 is more likely to die from injuries and violence than from heart disease, cancer, hypertension and influenza combined. Injuries and violence cause approximately 170,000 deaths and millions of hospitalizations each year, and create a heavy social and economic toll. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the lifetime costs of injuries and violence that occur in a single year at $406 billion.

Injuries from falls, motor vehicle crashes, prescription drug overdoses, child abuse, sexual violence and suicide contribute to these high rates in all 50 states, although each state’s experiences are unique. Geographic characteristics, age and gender distribution, and income levels all contribute to variations in specific injury and violence rates. Understanding these factors within a state can help policymakers prioritize public health resources and design specific interventions.