Which statement about injuries and injury prevention is correct?

Injury prevention is a critical area of public health that focuses on understanding the causes of injuries and mitigating their effects. The correct choice states that risk factors increase the likelihood of injury. This is fundamental because risk factors are variables that are associated with a higher probability of an injury occurring. For instance, factors such as age, alcohol consumption, lack of safety equipment, or unsafe environments can significantly raise the chances of accidents and injuries.

Understanding that risk factors increase injury likelihood is essential for developing effective prevention strategies. By identifying these risk factors, professionals can design targeted interventions aimed at reducing exposure to them, thereby decreasing overall injury rates. This awareness is crucial in fields such as community health, emergency response, and personal safety training.

The other statements do not align with established knowledge about injuries and prevention. For example, it is widely recognized that unintentional injuries, often stemming from environmental factors or unsafe behaviors, typically account for the most injury cases rather than intentional ones. Risk factors are also correlated with higher likelihoods of injury, not a reduction—making the recognition of risk factors pivotal in injury prevention efforts.