Injuries, Unintentional, Epidemiology of

The status of health in the United States has changed significantly during the past 50 years. The threat of infectious diseases such as polio, diphtheria, and measles has all but been eliminated because of widespread immunization programs, while chronic diseases and injuries have taken over as the leading causes of death. Injuries, which include [Page 621]both unintentional injuries and those caused by violence (e.g., homicide and suicide), are a major public health problem that affects patients, their families, and the communities in which they live. Lifestyle medicine can be an important source of interventions to reduce and control injuries. Such interventions may include not only education and behavior change but also supports such as legislation/enforcement, technology, engineering, and environment. Interventions that support prevention include using ...