Injuries are a major public health issue in the United States.
These injuries have enormous financial, emotional and social effects on affected individuals and their families as well as communities and society as a whole. Injury is damage or harm to the body resulting in impairment or destruction of health occurring within a short period of time. This is not the case. Injuries can be understood and prevented through a combination of educational efforts, environmental improvements, enactment and enforcement of legislation and regulations, economic incentives, community empowerment, and program evaluations. Injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.