The Science Base for Prevention of Injury and Violence
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Worldwide, 5.8 million people die each year from injuries. More than 180,000 fatal injuries occur in the U.S. alone. Motor vehicle crashes, falls, homicides, suicides, domestic violence, child maltreatment, and prescription drug overdoses are just some of the tragedies we hear about every day that affect us all, regardless of sex, race, or economic status. In fact, injury is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. between the ages of 1 – 44. Beyond the toll these tragedies take on the lives and health of people, there is also a significant economic and societal burden – every year more than $400 billion is spent on medical expenses and lost productivity due to injuries. While many people accept these events as “part of life,” most events resulting in injury, death or disability are predictable and therefore preventable.
This session of Public Health Grand Rounds explores the role of public health in the prevention of injury and violence, and provides a comprehensive picture of the science of injury and violence that has been used to develop and implement solutions such as suicide prevention programs in Oregon and the adoption of the .08 blood alcohol limit for U.S. drivers. The session also looks at future public health challenges and opportunities in reducing the number of preventable tragedies caused by injury and violence.
- Linda C. Degutis, DrPH, MSN
- Director
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
- Melvin Kohn, MD, MPH
- Director and State Health Officer, Public Health Division
Oregon Health Authority
- David A. Sleet, PhD, MA
- Associate Director for Science, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
- Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP(E), FNAPA, Hon FRSPH
- Excutive Director
American Public Health Association
- Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD
- Scientific Director
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This first session of Public Health Grand Rounds, “Getting to Zero Traffic-related Deaths,” takes a look at motor vehicle safety. Hear about the role key risk factors, such as not wearing seat belts, alcohol, and speeding, play in traffic deaths, and learn what CDC is doing to prevent these deaths.

Homicide is the third leading cause of death among young people 10 to 24. While many prevention programs have been found to significantly reduce youth violence, the available evidence-based approaches are often not used in communities for a variety of reasons. Hear about some communities’ successes using what is known to work.