Injury Prevention Overview

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) , injury is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults. More than 150,000 people die each year as a result of injuries from motor vehicle crashes, fires, drownings, falls, and poisonings (including suicide and homicide). Local health departments (LHDs) play an important role in injury prevention efforts, as they are visible entities in their communities and have established relationship with other local organizations, citizens, and the media.

NACCHO’s Injury Prevention Initiative began in June 2001 with a cooperative agreement with the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goals of the initiative are to:

1. Provide education and training to local health officials and agency staff on engaging the broader local public health system in injury prevention.
2. Create opportunities for NCIPC to engage in dialogue with local health officials.
3. Market resources to address injury prevention and control issues through organizational publications and the Internet.

NACCHO also serves on NCIPC's SafeUSA Partnerships Council, a working alliance of public and private partners dedicated to reducing the high rates of injuries and injury-related deaths in the United States and increasing the levels of safety in the nation’s homes, schools, work sites, transportation areas, and communities. For more information on SafeUSA, visit www.cdc.gov/safeusa/default.htm.

By providing education opportunities and injury prevention resources for LHD directors and staff, the Injury Prevention Initiative strengthens the capacity of LHDs to effectively address the burden of injury in their communities. NACCHO’s projects involving injury prevention include its projects on traffic safety and the Injury Prevention Initiative.