Injury: a new perspective on an old problem

Injury-related morbidity and mortality have finally been acknowledged as major public health issues facing this country today. While injuries represent a serious problem for society as a whole, the rates are significantly higher among African-Americans, especially black males between 20 and 29 years of age. Moreover, injury and death resulting from acts of interpersonal violence are not only increasing, but are also significantly higher among blacks. Because injury-producing events have been shown to conform to the same biological laws that govern the expression and behavior of many infectious and chronic diseases, it has now been determined and verified that such events are largely predictable, and, in many instances, preventable. Because of the significant racial disparity in the incidence of injury-producing events, the authors encourage establishment of vigorous injury prevention, control-oriented curricula, and training opportunities in predominantly black medical schools. The authors assert that such institutions of higher learning represent an ideal point of introduction for innovative injury prevention and control strategies specifically aimed at the African-American population.