Which age group has suicide and homicide as injury risks?

• A. Elderly
• B. Infant
• C. Adolescent
• D. Adult

Answer: (C)

Injury risk patterns change with age, and adolescence is the period where intentional injuries become especially prominent. Teens face mood disorders, peer pressure, and social stressors, along with greater access to means that can cause harm. These factors contribute to suicide and homicide being significant causes of injury-related death in this age group. In practice, this means prioritizing mental health screening, assessing for suicidal ideation and plan, ensuring safety, and addressing violence prevention and access to supportive resources. Other groups have different dominant injury risks—for example, infants are more prone to unintentional injuries like suffocation or drowning, and the elderly more often suffer from falls—so the distinctive focus on suicide and homicide is most characteristic of adolescence.