Measuring the public health impact of injuries

Abstract

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The 1985 Institute of Medicine report, Injury in America: A Continuing Public Health Problem, defined injury as the result of acute exposure to energy (heat, electricity, kinetic energy) or the sudden absence of essential elements (oxygen, heat). Injuries can be unintentional (accidents) or deliberate (assaults, suicides). Their severity and impact depend on the amount of energy exceeding human tolerance.

Historically, injuries have been documented since biblical times. Although their mechanisms have changed, their impact on society remains significant. Measuring this impact is essential for developing prevention policies. This article reviews metrics used to quantify the burden of diseases and injuries at the population level. Their evolution, characteristics, advantages, and limitations are analyzed.

The article first addresses metrics focused on fatal injuries, then those including nonfatal injuries, and finally, measures that integrate both consequences. For each metric, its contribution to understanding the problem is highlighted. Tables 1 and 2 summarize these metrics, indicating their applicability to different subpopulations and their use in population norms, especially in the United States.