Integrating child injury and abuse-neglect research: common histories, etiologies, and solutions

Abstract

Research on injuries, the leading health threat to children in the United States, has been infrequent and badly fragmented. Research on unintentional injuries and research on abuse-neglect have similar histories, including recent rapprochement with behavioral interventions, and reveal similar etiologies for child injury. Further, recent studies document difficulties in discriminating between unintentional and abuse-neglect-related injuries. The areas also face similar methodological and conceptual challenges. Finally, the same interventions may prevent negative outcomes in both areas. A working model to summarize a more integrated approach to injury prevention is offered. Increasing societal awareness of the threat posed by injuries and strengthening mutually applicable strategies of injury prevention would be sought-after results of unifying efforts in these historically isolated arenas.