Safety and Risk Management

Regardless of gender, race, or economic status, injuries remain a leading cause of death for Americans of all ages, accounting for more than 161,000 deaths in 2002. But injury deaths are only part of the picture. Millions of Americans are injured each year and survive. In 2004, about 29.6 million people were treated for an injury in U.S. hospital emergency departments, of which nearly 2 million injuries were severe enough to require hospitalization. For many people, the injury causes temporary pain and inconvenience; but for some, the injury leads to disability, chronic pain, and a profound change in lifestyle.

An injury affects more than just the person injured-it affects everyone involved in the injured person's life. With a fatal injury, family, friends, coworkers, employers, and other members of the injured person's community feel the loss. In addition to experiencing grief, they may experience a loss of income or the loss of a primary caregiver, as well.

With a nonfatal injury, family members are often called upon to care for the injured person, which can result in stress, time away from work, and possibly lost income. They may also experience a change in their relationship with the injured person and with others in the family. For example, if a wife and mother is seriously injured, her spouse may find himself in the role of primary caregiver-not only for his wife, but also for their children. Friends of the injured person may be called upon to help and, like family members, may experience a change in their relationship with the injured person. The injured person's employer may struggle with the temporary or permanent loss of a valued employee. Others in the community-volunteer groups, religious organizations, neighbors may also feel the effects of the injury.

 
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