The frequency and severity of injury in Australia are sufficient to consider injury a major public health problem. Injuries account for half of all deaths between ages 1 and 44 years.
Injuries are a major reason for hospital bed occupancy, emergency medical treatment and disability.
Injuries are a common reason for the loss of independence of elderly people and their premature death. Injury death rates, especially among young persons, have not declined as much as other major causes of death. Injuries are caused in a number of ways. It is possible to identify risk categories which require specific attention. Risk patterns are culture-specific, and geographic and social risk groups should be distinguished in analysis.