• Fact Sheets
• 2008 IHS Profile
• Accreditation Achievement
• Basis for Health Services
• Behavioral Health
• Budget Planning with Tribes
• Collaboration with Federal Agencies
• Collaboration with States
• Contract Health Services
• Diabetes
• Facts on Health Disparities
• FY '08 Budget
• Health Facilities
• HIV/AIDS
• Indian Health Care Improvement Act
• IHS Organization Charts
• Indian Population
• Information Technology
• Injuries
• Partnering with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Quick Look
• Safe Water and Waste Disposal Facilities
• Tribal Self-Determination
• Tribal Consultation and Participation
• Urban Indian Program
• Workforce
• IHS Regional Map
• American Indian & Alaska Native Tribal Listings
  (PDF - 195KB)
• IHS Gold Book Part 1
  (PDF - 1MB)
• IHS Gold Book Part 2
  (PDF - 2MB)
• IHS Gold Book Part 3
  (PDF - 813KB)
• IHS Gold Book Part 4
  (PDF - 653KB)
• Site Contact

These plug-ins may be required for the content on this page:  Acrobat IHS Plug-in Page Use site contact if unable to view a particular file

INJURIES

ISSUE

Injuries are the leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives between the ages of 1 and 44 years of age.

BACKGROUND

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Injury Prevention Program is based on the same public health principles that have been used to effectively control infectious diseases. Collaborative efforts in describing the factors amenable to change have lead to implementation of successful community-specific solutions to the injury epidemic. Increasing the understanding that injuries are not "accidents" but predictable and preventable events has been an integral part of the IHS Injury Prevention Program’s mission to decrease the incidence of severe injuries and death to the lowest level possible and increase the ability of Tribes to prevent injuries within their communities.

SITUATION

Indians experience injury mortality rates that are 2 to 4 times greater
than other Americans.

• Annually, injuries account for 41% of the years of productive life lost for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
• More than $350 million is expended annually for the treatment of injuries.
• Implementation of effective injury prevention programs can improve the quality of life for Indian people and redirect the use of limited health care funds for treatment of other health conditions.
• Injury deaths to American Indians and Alaska Natives people have decreased by 40% since 1976.

Risk factors that contribute to the disproportionately higher injury rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives include a greater proportion of young adults as compared to other Americans, rural environments and lack of traffic safety legislation, and a greater number of alcohol related incidents.

OPTIONS/PLANS

The IHS Injury Prevention Program promotes building the capacity of Tribes and communities by increasing understanding about the injury problem, sharing effective solutions, and assisting communities in implementing programs. Community-based injury prevention coalitions directed by tribal members and supported by tribal governments are more visible throughout the IHS service areas. The IHS fosters competitive grant programs to build tribal capacity, to enhance existing public health infrastructure, and to implement effective community-based strategies to prevent injuries.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For referral to the appropriate spokesperson, contact the IHS Pubic Affairs Staff at 301-443-3593.

June 2008

This file last modified:   Thursday June 26, 2008  7:42 AM