It is likely that you or someone you know has been touched by violence or injury: A neighborhood child killed in a car crash. A friend who committed suicide. An older relative who fell and suffered a brain injury.

Violence and injuries affect everyone, regardless of:

• age
• race
• economic status

In the first half of life, more Americans die from violence and injuries — such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, or homicides — than from any other cause.  This includes deaths due to:

• cancer
• HIV
• flu.

And, deaths are only part of the problem. Each year, millions of people are injured and survive. They are faced with life-long mental, physical, and financial problems.

Prevention Saves Lives

Violence and injuries are so common that we often accept them as just part of life. But they can be prevented, and their consequences reduced. We know prevention works. For example:

• Seat belts have saved an estimated 255,000 lives between 1975 and 2008.
• School-based programs to prevent violence have been shown to cut violent behavior 29 percent among high school students and 15 percent  across all grade levels.
• Ignition interlocks, or in-car breathalyzers, can reduce the rate of re-arrest among drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated by a median of 67 percent.
• Tai chi and other exercise programs for older adults have been shown to reduce falls by as much as half among participants.

Take action today by learning more about ways you can protect yourself and others from violence and injuries!

Source and Additional Information:

Saving Lives and Protecting People from Violence and Injuries (CDC)

For more information:

Go to the Injury Prevention and Safety health topic.