A review of unintentional injuries in adolescents.

Unintentional injuries are the largest source of premature morbidity and mortality and the leading cause of death among adolescents 10-19 years of age. Fatal injury rates of males are twice those of females, and racial disparities in injury are pronounced. Transportation is the largest source of these injuries, principally as drivers and passengers, but also as cyclists and pedestrians. Other major causes involve drowning, poisonings, fires, sports and recreation, and work-related injuries. Implementing known and effective prevention strategies such as using seat belts and bicycle and motorcycle helmets, installing residential smoke alarms, reducing misuse of alcohol, strengthening graduated driver licensing laws, promoting policy change, using safety equipment in sports and leisure, and protecting adolescents at work will all contribute to reducing injuries. The frequency, severity, potential for death and disability, and costs of these injuries, together with the high success potential of prevention strategies, make injury prevention a key public health goal to improve adolescent health in the future.