The Web 4 People Of World

The care of the acutely injured is a public health issue that involves bystanders and community members, health care professionals, and health care systems. It encompasses prehospital emergency medical services; emergency department assessment, treatment, and stabilization; and in-hospital care surgery and medical management among all age groups. The importance of acute injury care became increasingly clear in the aftermath of the events of 9/11 and subsequent mass casualty events.

Because CDC recognizes that injuries continue to occur, despite our best efforts at prevention, the Division of Injury Response (DIR) at CDC’s Injury Center seeks to improve outcomes for those who have survived severe injuries and to improve acute injury care practices. To meet this challenge, DIR works with national and international organizations spanning the continuum of injury prevention and acute injury care, including those responsible for emergency medical services and emergency medicine and trauma surgery, other public health organizations, other federal agencies, and the corporate sector.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States.  Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Recent data shows that, on average, approximately 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. The majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.

CDC’s research and programs work to prevent TBI and help people better recognize, respond, and recover if a TBI occurs.

The Reality

We all want to keep our children safe and secure and help them live to their full potential. Knowing how to prevent leading causes of child injury, like road traffic injuries, is a step toward this goal.

Every hour, 150 children between ages 0 and 19 are treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. More children ages 5 to 19 die from crash-related injuries than from any other type of injury.

Thankfully, parents can play a key role in protecting the children they love from road traffic injuries.
Prevention Tips

One of the best protective measures you can take is using seat belts, child safety seats, and booster seats that are appropriate for your child’s age and weight.

Know the Stages

* Typically, babies should be placed in rear facing car seats until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 20 pounds.
* When babies move into front-facing car seats, they should remain in these seats until they are at least 4 years old or weigh 40 pounds.
* Children should be seated in booster seats from about age 4 to age 8, or until they reach 4’9″ tall.
* All children ages 12 and under should be seated in the back seat of vehicles.

A Tip for Parents of Teens If you’re a parent of a teen who is learning to drive, sign an agreement with them to limit risky driving situations, such as having multiple teen passengers and driving at night.

Helmets can Help Children should wear motorcycle or bike helmets any time they are on a motorcycle or bicycle.

In the United States, motor vehicle–related injuries are the leading cause of death for people ages 1–34, and nearly 5 million people sustain injuries that require an emergency department visit. The economic impact is also notable: motor vehicle crashes cost around $230 billion in 2000.

CDC’s research and prevention efforts target this serious public health problem. We focus on improving car and booster seat and seat belt use and reducing impaired driving, and helping groups at risk: child passengers, teen drivers, and older adult drivers. CDC also works to prevent pedestrian and bicycle injuries.

The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) Extramural Research Program Office (ERPO) facilitates extramural research prioritization, planning, and evaluation for both NCIPC and the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; and ensures their extramural research portfolios are designed for maximum public health impact.