Injury prevention and other international public health initiatives

Injuries, whether caused by unintentional or intentional events, are a significant public health problem. The burden of injury is greatest in low- and middle-income countries and among individuals of low socioeconomic status living in high-income countries. Most of these injuries are preventable. Emergency physicians can play an important role in reducing the global burden of injuries by providing expert care and by identifying, implementing, and evaluating population-based countermeasures to prevent and control injuries. The strategy used in a particular country depends in large part on the nature of the local problem, the concerns of the population, the availability of resources, and competing demands. Even simple countermeasures may have a big impact in reducing the global burden of death and disability due to injury.