CDC’s efforts to reduce non-occupational injury in the United States are concentrated in the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center). The Injury Center was established in June 1992 with the mission to prevent premature death and disability and to reduce the human suffering and medical costs caused by non-occupational injuries. Its science base and focus on public health are unique among federal agencies with activities in injury prevention and control, most of which have regulatory or enforcement roles. As the lead U.S. federal agency for non-occupational injury prevention, the Injury Center works closely with other federal agencies; national, state, and local organizations; state and local health departments; and research institutions across the country.

To prevent injuries and minimize their consequences when they occur, the Injury Center uses the public health approach, a systematic process to define the injury problem, identify risk and protective factors, develop and test prevention strategies, and ensure widespread use of effective interventions and other strategies. 

This division of the Injury Center is dedicated to reducing the number and severity of unintentional injuries through science-based, applied research and prevention programs. The division targets injuries related to transportation and home and recreation activities. Priority areas in unintentional injury prevention include alcohol-impaired drivers; older drivers; child passenger safety; falls, especially among older adults; injuries caused by residential fires; and water safety. Additional areas of interest include teen drivers, bicycle-related injuries, pedestrian safety, sports and recreation injuries, and dog bites.