Accidents—the foremost problem in preventive medicine

Abstract Accidents, heart disease, cancer and stroke are the four most important and unresolved problems in preventive medicine and, of these, accidents should be ranked first. We already know far more about how to prevent accidents than we know about how to prevent these diseases, but we are not applying what we know. This is a serious, major omission in preventive medicine on the part of all types of health workers. Accidents are considered under four main headings based on age groups: childhood, old age, teen-age and young adults, and the middle or “in-between” years. Illustrative accident problems common to all four, or largely limited to only one of these groups are described, with suggestions for positive action by health professionals. The consequences of continued neglect are implied; and the conviction is expressed that all health workers, and particularly preventive medicine experts, must greatly increase their knowledge, interest and endeavors in accident prevention.