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.
11 North Carolina In North Carolina, injuries are the fourth leading cause of death. 8 More than 4 million years of potential life are lost prematurely due to injuries. 3 Unintentional injuries are the leading killer of Americans ages 1-34. United States Automobiles and firearms cause 29 percent and 21 percent of all injury deaths respectively. This includes deaths from motor vehicle crashes, falls, suffocation, poisonings, fires and drownings.