In 1969, the National Research Council published a document entitled Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society. The document, prepared by a committee of experts in medicine, engineering, and public health, was a comprehensive analysis of the problem of accidental death and disability in the United States.
The document, which was based on a review of the existing research on accidental death and disability, argued that this problem was a major public health issue that was not being adequately addressed by policymakers and public health officials. The document pointed out that accidents were a leading cause of death and disability in the United States and major contributors to the overall burden of disease and injury.
The document also highlighted the economic and social costs of accidental death and disability. The authors of the document argued that these costs were high and that they included not only the direct costs of medical care and lost productivity but also the indirect costs associated with the loss of human lives and the suffering of accident victims and their families.
One of the key recommendations of the document was the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to preventing accidental death and disability. The authors of the document argued that the current approach, which focused on individual accidents and their immediate causes, was inadequate and needed to be replaced by a more systemic and comprehensive approach.
Overall, the publication of Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society was an important milestone in the field of accident prevention and safety. The document was a comprehensive and evidence-based analysis of the problem of accidental death and disability. It made a compelling case for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to its prevention. The document’s recommendations continue to be influential in the field of accident prevention and safety, and it remains an important reference for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in these issues.
Reference to the document:
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/9978/accidental-death-and-disability-the-neglected-disease-of-modern-society
