Unintentional Injury:

Unintentional injuries are those injuries that occur without intent of harm or death. These
unplanned events can include falls, motor vehicle crashes, prescription drug overdose and
concussion/traumatic brain injury. Currently a public health concern, they are the leading cause
of nonfatal injury for all age groups in the United States, as well as the leading cause of death
nationally for individuals aged 1 to 44. (Pino, R. 2015) The number of deaths associated with all
unintentional injury is 130,557 people per year. It correlates to 31 million emergency visits due
to all alignments mentioned above. (CDC)
Impact on Health:
Anxiety due to traumatic experience
Serious injury
Death
Risks:
Swimming without supervision (CDC)
Riding a bike without equipment
Playing sports without proper safety equipment
Playing a sport and not following medical protocols (CDF)
Climbing or hiking (CDF)
Being in a vehicle while intoxicated (CDC)
Being in a vehicle that is speeding (CDC)
Being in a vehicle while distracted
Proper security of medication
Proper security of weapons including kitchen ware (CDF)
Proper security of matches, lighters, and ovens (CDF)
Impact on academic achievements:
Lack of focus
Missing school
Protective Factors:
Parental supervision
Properly securing all unsafe objects such as guns, knives, and medication
Educating students on the risks of these protective factors
Best Practices for bike safety:
The CDC has funded a program to educate students on bike safety. Using their program will give
students training on how to properly wear and use a helmet. In addition to supplying every
student with one helmet. (CDC, 2011).

Citations:

(CDC, 2011). Retrieved from

http://www.cdc.gov/program/performance/fy2000plan/2000xbicycle.htm
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. Childhood Injury Fact Sheet.
www.cdc.gov/injury/index/html
Pino, R. (2015, December 08). DPH: Health Education Management & Surviellance.
from http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3137
Protect America's Children | Children's Defense Fund | CDF. Retrieved from.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/
Telljohann, S., & Symons, C. (2012). Health education: Elementary and middle school
applications (7th ed., pp. 218-226). Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill. (218-220)

Intentional Injury:
Intentional injuries include self-inflicted and interpersonal acts of violence intended to cause
harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 42,773 suicide
deaths per year in the United States. Intentional injuries include Child Maltreatment,
Interpersonal Violence, Suicide, and Youth Violence. (AFSP, 2014)
Impact on health:
Depression
Post traumatic stress disorder
Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Physical harm (ex. broken arm)
Risks:
Carried a weapon 17.5%
Carried a gun 5.9%
Were in a physical fight 31.5%
Were injured in a physical fight 3.8%
Experienced dating violence 9.8%
Were forced to have sexual intercourse 7.4%
Did not go to school because they felt unsafe 5%
Seriously considered suicide 13.8%
Attempted suicide 6.3%
Bullying (CDC)
Homicide (CDC)
Suicide
Rape
Impact on academic achievement:
Attendance problems
Frequent disciplinary acts
Failing grades in half their courses
Poor performance on standardized tests
Some students may show temporary overachievement (highly unlikely)
Protective factors:
All aspects of school are to be well supervised. (SIPP, 2015).
Implement prevention curriculum to educate students on findings and research linked to
intentional injuries.
Offer outlets for students to seek if they need additional physical, mental, and emotional
help
Have a procedure on how to deal with violent situations (SIPP, 2015)
Educate students, staff, and families on prevention of violence and suicide
Best practice for suicide: (Rodgers, P. 2011)
Implement a school wide suicide prevention program that includes

School wide programs that promote connectedness and emotional well-being

Policies and procedures for helping students at risk and in crisis

Postvention
Staff education and training
Parent/guardian education and outreach
Student programs
Curricula for all students
Skill-building for students at risk
Peer leader programs
Screening for at-risk students

Citations:
Accidents or Unintentional Injuries. (2015). from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm
Rodgers, P. (2011). Understanding risk and protective factors for suicide: A primer for
preventing suicide. Waltham, MA: Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Education
Development Center, Inc. Retrieved from
http://www.sprc.org/sites/sprc.org/files/library/RandPPrimer.pdf
Statewide Injury Prevention Program (SIPP) . (2015). from
http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/contactUs/Pages/default.aspx
Suicide Statistics - AFSP. (2014). from https://afsp.org/about-suicide/suicide-statistics/
Telljohann, S., & Symons, C. (2012). Promoting an Alcohol and Other Drug-Free
Lifestyle. In Health education: Elementary and middle school applications (7th
ed., pp. 338-342). Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill.