title: Injury and violence prevention policy: celebrating our successes, protecting our future.
abstract: Policy strategies for injury and violence prevention influence systems development, organizational change, social norms, and individual behavior to improve the health and safety of a population. Injury and violence prevention professionals should consider how their issues resonate with various audiences, including policy makers, the public, and other decision makers. As the cost of healthcare continues to rise and greater demands are placed on the healthcare system, the use of public health policy becomes increasingly critical to protect the public's health and prevent injury and violence and its related morbidities and disabilities (Degutis, 2011). This article highlights some impactful policy successes from the field, allows us to reflect on the Injury Center's 20th anniversary, and describes steps to address injuries and violence into the future. The purpose of this paper is to discuss policy as a public health strategy and the critical role it plays in injury and violence prevention.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US.ftm1@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Rebecca Greco
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Koné
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zurick
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peeples
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011634:Public Health; D011639:Public Opinion; D011640:Public Policy / Q000639:trends*; D012449:Safety; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*