What is defined as the ongoing collection and analysis of injury data essential for public health practice?

The ongoing collection and analysis of injury data essential for public health practice is known as injury surveillance. This process involves systematically gathering data on injury occurrences, analyzing patterns, and identifying risk factors, which can inform public health strategies and interventions aimed at preventing injuries. Injury surveillance plays a crucial role in understanding the scope of injury-related issues within a community or population, helping to prioritize resources and create effective policies. Through this data-driven approach, public health officials can also evaluate the impact of prevention programs and tailor their efforts to address specific needs related to injuries.

In contrast, the other options represent different concepts. Mortality review focuses on analyzing deaths rather than injuries, the Haddon matrix is a framework used for injury prevention strategies that categorizes factors related to injury prevention and response, and morbidity tracking involves monitoring illness rather than specifically focusing on injuries. Thus, injury surveillance is the most appropriate term when it comes to the systematic collection and analysis of injury data for public health practice.