13.1: Introduction to Intentional and Unintentional Injuries
- Page ID
- 107006
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Introduction to Intentional and Unintentional Injuries
Throughout the world, injuries, both unintentional and violence-related, take the lives of 4.4 million people each year (nearly 8% of all deaths). For people ages 5-29, three of the top five causes of death are injury-related. In the United States, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in children, adolescents, and adults younger than 45 years. In 2018, unintentional injuries were the cause of 24.8 million people visiting their doctor and 97.9 million visiting the emergency room with an additional 1.2 million visiting the emergency room due to an assault. Unintentional injuries ranked as the 4th overall leading cause of death in 1980, increased to the 3rd leading cause of death by 2018, and moved back to 4th in 2020 when COVID took the 3rd ranking. Some good news is that data from 1950-2018 show a reduction in deaths due to unintentional injuries from 78 per 100,000 to 48 per 100,000, however, homicide has remained relatively the same from 5.1 to 5.9 per 100,000 people [1].
Injuries and violence cost billions of dollars each year in health care costs, lost productivity, and law enforcement. There are also numerous costs to personal well-being including:
- Premature death
- Years of potential lives lost
- Disability and disability-adjusted life years lost
- Poor mental health
- Increased risk of suicide
- High medical costs
- Lost productivity
- Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer
- Social problems such as poverty, crime and violence
Both intentional and unintentional injuries are public health concerns that are addressed worldwide and in the U.S. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) was launched in 1992 to focus specifically on injuries as an important topic for public health. The NCIPC, along with the CDC and NIH, provide research-based evidence and resources to meet goals to reduce injuries.
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | Deaths per 100,000 people |
| Unintentional fall deaths | 42,112 | 12.8 |
| Motor Vehicle traffic deaths | 40,698 | 12.4 |
| Unintentional Poisoning deaths | 87,404 | 26.5 |
| All poisoning deaths | 97,034 | 29.5 |
| Firearm homicides | 19,384 | 5.9 |
| All firearm deaths | 45,222 | 13.7 |
| All homicide deaths | 24,576 | 7.5 |
| Firearm suicides | 24,292 | 7.4 |
| Suffocation suicides | 12,495 | 3.8 |
| Poisoning suicides | 5,528 | 1.7 |
| All suicides | 45,979 | 14.0 |
| All injury deaths | 278,345 | 84.5 |
| All unintentional deaths | 200,995 | 61 |
The Risky, Impulsive, and Self-Destructive Behavior Questionnaire (RISQ) is a tool designed to assess behaviors that may pose risks to your physical and mental health. This self-assessment can help you understand patterns in your decision-making and behavior, as well as identify areas where support or intervention may be beneficial.
Instructions
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Access the Questionnaire:
- Download the RISQ Questionnaire.
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Complete the Questionnaire:
- Carefully read each question and respond honestly based on your experiences and behaviors.
- The questionnaire includes questions about various domains of risky, impulsive, and self-destructive behaviors.
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Score Your Responses:
- Total your scores for each domain to identify patterns or areas of concern.
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Reflect on Your Results:
- Summarize Your Scores: Note which domains had higher scores and what they indicate about your behavior.
- Describe Your Feelings: Reflect on your reaction to the results. Were you surprised, concerned, or motivated to make changes?
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Identify Next Steps:
- If your results suggest significant risky or self-destructive behaviors, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for further evaluation and support.
- Explore resources such as therapy, support groups, or educational materials to address any areas of concern.
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Set a SMART Goal for Positive Change:
- Create a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goal to reduce risky or impulsive behaviors and promote healthier decision-making. For example: "I will limit my alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per weekend and will alternate alcoholic beverages with water to maintain control and avoid impulsive decisions over the next month.
Additional Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
- American Psychological Association (APA): Visit apa.org for resources on mental health and behavior management.
- Therapy Resources: Search for therapists near you through platforms like Psychology Today.
This assessment encourages self-awareness and empowers you to make positive changes to reduce risks and support overall well-being.