Citation

Avery JG. Inj. Prev. 1995; 1(1): 10-11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.1.1.10

PMID

9345985

PMCID

PMC1067533

Abstract

The launch of a new international Journal on injury prevention offers a unique opportunity to open up a debate on terminology. Over the last 30 years or so there has emerged a number of terms which bear may not be compatible. In North America there now seem there now appears to be a strong consensus on the use of the term injury control. In the UK the Royal Society for the prevention of accidents and others have kept the term accident prevention more info. The term has been upheld more recently with the setting up of the Child Accident Prevention Trust in 1979, and with the UK governments Department of Health Health of the Nation Key Areas Policy on Accidents. The term accident is also used by the World Health Organization in many parts of Europe and in several other parts of the English-speaking word. There are good reasons for getting some standard terminology agreed and for this to become established practice. Firstly there is a need for consistency. Secondly there is a need for those working in the field to understand what they mean and what everyone else means. Thirdly there's a need for the public to understand, although this may not be so important for body good we can get the message across effectively. Do initiate this debate I have outlined some definitions for the terms used regularly by most people working in the field. These terms are: accident prevention; Injury control; injury prevention; and safety....

Given these concepts it now becomes clear that a phrase that adequately covers all of these activities is"accident prevention and injury control."

But perhaps we should not become too obsessed with terminology anyway. What is really important is to concentrate on the key issue which is, whenever possible, to prevent the accident. And, if we cannot prevent the accident then we must do our best to minimize its consequences, not only by means of the various forms of secondary prevention, but also by ensuring that the emergency and immediate care services and the follow-up and rehabilitation are of the highest order.

Whatever we call it, accident prevention and injury control has clearly come of age and is here to stay. It has an enormously important contribution to make to the health and well-being of everyone. It merits elevation to the highest status in the most serious attention by everyone in healthcare.

(term-accident-vs-injury)