Environmental approach

Abstract

Reduction of injury severity often is best achieved by modifications of environments, including the products of human activity as well as the natural environment. Prevention of harm is greatly facilitated by identification of one or more necessary conditions for harm. Many characteristics of building structures, weapons, vehicles, and roads are necessary conditions for severe injury. Their modification reduces injury without the need to change a myriad of causes. Epidemiological methods like those used to study infectious disease clusters can be used to improve the efficiency of environmental interventions. The assessment of costs and benefits of environmental and consumer product design should include the benefits of injury reduction.