Injury Prevention in Primary Care
Authors: Steven R. Lowenstein
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Editorials15 August 1990Injury Prevention in Primary CareSteven R. Lowenstein, MD, MPH, Debra Hunt, MDSteven R. Lowenstein, MD, MPHSearch for more papers by this author, Debra Hunt, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-113-4-261 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptInjuries, including unintentional trauma and deliberate acts of violence, are important problems in medicine today. From birth to 45 years of age, injuries are the leading cause of death; across all age groups, injuries rank fourth (1). In 1987, injuries caused the loss of 3.6 million years of working life, a greater loss than the combined total for heart disease, cancer, and stroke (2). An estimated $39 billion was spent in 1985 for the treatment and rehabilitation of injury victims; only cancer treatment cost more (3, 4).Dictionaries define accidents as "unforeseen contingencies." Injuries, in contrast, are predictable events that...References1. Health, United States, 1987. Washington, DC: Public Health Service, U.S. Government Printing Office; 1988: DHHS publication no. (PHS) 88-1232. Google Scholar2. Years of potential life lost before age 65—United States, 1987. MMWR. 1989;38:27-9. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. RiceMacKenzie DE. Cost of Injury in the United States: A Report to Congress. San Francisco, California: Institute for Health & Aging, University of California and Injury Prevention Center, The Johns Hopkins University; 1989. Google Scholar4. HartunianSmartThompson NCM. The incidence and economic costs of cancer, motor vehicle injuries, coronary heart disease, and stroke: a comparative analysis. Am J Public Health. 1980;70:1249-60. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center University of Colorado School of Medicine Denver, CO 80262 Nextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPrevention of hip fractures in the elderly: receptivity to protective garmentsA role for the primary care physician in counseling young African-American men about homicide preventionSurvivors of motor vehicle traumaThe Current Practices of Internists in Prevention of Residential Fire InjuryPredicting SuicideDan C. Bird, MD 15 August 1990Volume 113, Issue 4Page: 261-263KeywordsAge groupsBirthCancer treatmentCardiovascular therapyStroke Issue Published: 15 August 1990 PDF DownloadLoading ...