Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

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accidental injuries Accidental injuries, also
called unintentional injuries, claim more than
100,000 lives each year and are the fifth leading
cause of death in the United States. Accidental
injuries account for nearly half of childhood
deaths. Accidental injuries further account for
more than 90 million health-care provider (ambulatory
medical care) visits annually, 10 million of
which are for injuries to children. Many accidental
injuries are preventable.
KEY PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES
TO REDUCE ACCIDENTAL INJURIES
boating safety regulations building occupancy
building sprinkler systems regulations
carbon monoxide detectors child-resistant container laws
emergency exit requirements fire codes
fireworks restrictions flammability standards
playground safety standards product labeling requirements
seat belt, child restraint, smoke detectors
and helmet laws
structural building codes
traffic speed limits
vehicle safety standards
Major Causes of Accidental Injuries
There are numerous causes for accidental injuries.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS lead them, accounting for
40 percent of those deaths. Poisoning and falls
each account for 15 percent. Other common
causes of accidental injuries include choking, fires,
recreational activities, and fireworks.
Motor vehicle accidents Motor vehicle accidents
are the leading cause of death for those between
the ages of 2 and 33, resulting in more than
40,000 deaths each year. Motor vehicle accidents
also account for nearly 3 million injuries for
which people seek medical care each year. People
between ages 15 and 25 years and over age 74
years are at highest risk for injury or death in
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motor vehicle accidents. The three most significant
factors in motor vehicle accident injuries and
deaths are:
• Improper restraints—nearly three fourths of
those who die in motor vehicle accidents are not
wearing seat belts or secured in child seats and
are thrown from the vehicle in the accident.
• ALCOHOL use—alcohol use is involved in 40 percent
of fatalities and 7 percent of accidents
overall.
• Excessive speed—speeding contributes to a
third of all motor vehicle accidents, though is a
disproportionate factor among male drivers
between the ages of 16 and 20.
Up to a third of motor vehicle accidents involve
combinations of these factors, greatly increasing
the likelihood of injury or death.
Poisoning Accidental poisoning accounts for
14,500 deaths and 500,000 injuries that require
medical attention each year. More than 60 percent
of poisonings are among children under the age of
14. Children under the age of 4 account for two
thirds of poisonings in children. Poisoning from
common OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) DRUGS such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and iron supplements
can occur with as few as six or eight
tablets, depending on the body weight, age, and
health status of the person. Other common
sources of poisoning among children are prescription
medications that adults, particularly grandparents
and older caregivers, are taking. Chronic
lead poisoning occurs in children exposed to high
levels of lead such as are present in leaded paints
applied before 1978.
Falls More than 14,200 people lose their lives
in falls each year, nearly two thirds of whom are