Most public health practitioners categorize injuries as either unintentional, injuries that are not caused by a person’s intent to harm, or intentional, caused by “aggressive human behavior involving the use of physical, psychological or emotional force with the intent to cause harm to oneself or others.” Advocates within each sub-field often feel uncomfortable and ill-equipped to address issues within the other sub-field. Although both unintentional and intentional injury sub-fields benefit from in-depth specialization, it is vital that we address injury as a whole. Many of the societal problems that underlie violence or unintentional injuries are the same and practitioners cannot afford to overlook the expertise of their colleagues. Injury practitioners and specialists must seek to implement a comprehensive approach to injury prevention which will bridge across issues and organizations.
This presentation will examine key issues in intentional and unintentional injury prevention: who is affected, who needs to participate, obstacles practitioners face, and prevention strategies they can employ. Our hope is that an examination of the similarities and differences between the two injury categories will highlight ways practitioners in both sub-fields can overcome common risks and utilize resiliency factors to broaden their expertise and collaborate more effectively.
Participants of this session will 1) be able to identify key similarities and differences between these classes of injury; and 2) recognize the need to work collaboratively, both within injury prevention and with other disciplines, to accomplish a broad range of goals that reach beyond the capacity of any one individual or organization.
Learning Objectives: Participants of this session will 1) be able to identify key similarities and differences between these classes of injury; and 2) recognize the need to work collaboratively, both within injury prevention and with other disciplines, to accomplish a broad range of goals that reach beyond the capacity of any one individual or organization
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.