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Injury and Violence

seatbelt
Injury and violence emcompass unintentional injuries, intentional injuries (assault, homicide, self-inflicted injury, suicide), and injuries of undetermined intent.

Quick Links

Fall-Related Death report linkHomicide report linkMotor Vehicle-related Death report linkSuicide report linkUnintentional Injury Death report link

Why It's Important

Injuries and violence affect everyone, regardless of age, race, or economic status. People can suffer short-term effects of injury or violence, such as missing work or school, and long-term effects, such as chronic illness or death. For those who survive serious injuries, the effects of disability and trauma can last a lifetime.

What's Known

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death among children, adolescents, and adults younger than 45 years and remain in the top ten leading causes for those aged 45 and over. Unintentional injuries can be caused by poisoning (e.g., drug overdoses), motor vehicles, falls, suffocation, drowning, fire, and more.

Intentional injuries may be self-inflicted or inflicted by others (assault). Suicide and homicide combined are the second leading cause of death among persons aged 10-44 years.1 Violence includes bullying, child or elder abuse, intimate partner violence, school and community violence, and sexual violence.

1. Leading Causes of Death. CDC WISQARS. 12/20/24.

Who's at Risk

Risks for sustaining significant injuries vary widely throughout the lifespan and by community and individual characteristics. Environment also plays a role in risk of injury (e.g., drowning, slip and fall on ice). While adolescents are especially at risk for experiencing violence, the risk of a serious fall is much higher among older adults.2 Children who experience violence and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at risk for long-term physical, behavioral, and mental health problems including potential future involvement in violence, substance use, depression, and suicidal behavior.3,4

2. Injury Prevention. Healthy People 2030. 12/1/23.
3. Violence Prevention. Healthy People 2030. 12/1/23.
4. Injury Center Priorities. CDC. 11/13/24.

How to Reduce Risk

Increasing access to naloxone can help reduce overdose deaths.5 Anyone 14 years or older can acquire naloxone anonymously and at no cost at participating pharmacies across New Jersey.6

To reduce the risk of injury, always wear a seat belt, never drink and drive, always wear a helmet and other appropriate protective gear when playing sports or engaging in similar activities, and make your home safe for children and older adults.7

5. Reduce drug overdose deaths. Healthy People 2030. 11/14/24.
6. Naloxone Distribution at Participating Pharmacies. NJ Department of Human Services. 9/13/24.
7. Preventing TBI. CDC. 5/16/24.

How It's Tracked

Injuries are tracked using a range of surveys and reporting systems. Some examples include:
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
  • National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
  • National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS)
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Reporting Systems and Surveys
  • National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS)
  • National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS)
  • National Vital Statistics System (NVSS)
  • State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS)
  • Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS)
The New Jersey Violent Death Reporting System (NJVDRS) and New Jersey State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (NJSUDORS) were established and are maintained through cooperative agreements with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other Data Resources

New Jersey

National