What Are Our Nation's Top Safety Issues?
Our nation faces countless safety issues from a variety of sources. According to many health and government sources, the dangers faced by Americans from industry, natural health challenges, environmental changes and transportation concerns pose major threats. Each of these issues contributes to the deaths of many Americans each year.
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Emergency rooms
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Overcrowded emergency departments is one of the nation's top safety issues, according to the Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine. More than 100 million Americans receive emergency care annually, threatening access for those in the most need. Sixty-eight percent of patients use emergency rooms as their primary care due to a lack of health insurance. Emergency room capacity dropped by 14 percent from the 1990s to the early 2000s, according to data collected by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Water
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In an address to Congress, the Water Science and Technology Board National Research Council considers the water supply system one of the most essential safety issues of the 21st century. Environmental concerns and terrorism threaten the stability of this system most Americans take for granted.
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Food
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In 2006, the Nation's Restaurant News Food Safety Symposium addressed issues challenging the nation's food supply. The main threats facing the food industry include food-borne illness, terrorism, increased allergies and diseases infecting plants and animals.
Transportation
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, highway safety is a major safety issue for Americans. In 2007, 41,059 people died on U.S. roads, with another 2.49 million injured. Alcohol is responsible for an estimated 12,998 traffic deaths, and modern distractions such as cell phones account for 25 percent of all vehicle accidents.
Workplace
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies workplace dangers as one of the top safety issues affecting our nation. 5,071 people died in the workplace in 2008. The most common dangers facing American workers are falls, being struck by objects or equipment, fire and explosions.
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of woodley wonderworks
