From Discovery to Delivery: Injury Prevention at CDC

Abstract

Injuries rank among the top 10 causes of death for Americans of all ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Injury Center has a mission to prevent premature death and disability and to reduce the human suffering and medical costs caused by injuries. To prevent and reduce the consequences of injuries, CDC applies the public health approach to define the injury problem, identify risk and protective factors, develop and test preventive interventions, and ensure widespread implementation and adoption of effective interventions and strategies. In recent years, CDC has emphasized the later steps in this model and the progression from research and “discovery” to “delivery” and dissemination of effective interventions. The CDC Injury Research Agenda and the Guide to Community Prevention Services are featured as examples of the interdependence between practice and research.