Injuries and the Built Environment

Abstract

Injuries are not accidents. Injuries occur for identifiable reasons, many of which are related to factors in the built environment. Injuries are a major cause of death, disability, and suffering, and therefore a leading public health priority. Most injuries are preventable. Injury prevention strategies that modify the environment to reduce risk and increase safety are among the most successful. Data on environmental factors that contribute to injuries can be used in designing environments to be protective. Once environmental risk factors are identified, collaboration with planners, engineers, architects, and manufacturers is needed to produce safer designs. Engineers, city planners, policymakers, and the public need to be educated about their role in creating built environment design changes to prevent injuries.