The High Cost of Injuries

Injury is the leading cause of death for all Utah children and adults ages 1–44, and kills 3.5 people every day. On average every year in Utah:

• 1,300 Utahns die as a result of an injury.
• 10,400 Utahns are hospitalized for serious injuries.
• 181,100 Utahns are treated in emergency rooms because of injuries.

Click here for updated injury and violence statistics and prevention tips.

Injuries are divided into two main types: intentional and unintentional. Intentional injuries include those due to rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, and self-harm (suicide), while unintentional injuries include those that result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning and bicycle crashes, to name a few. But, whether suffered in a car crash, a football game or a fall down the stairs, the fact is the vast majority of injuries are preventable.

The proper use of car seats and seatbelts, bicycle, skatebord and motorcycle helmets, and locking and unloading firearms would save thousands of lives every year.

Please search this site to find all the ways you can keep yourself and your family safer.

Our Mission

The mission of the Utah Department of Health’s Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) is to reduce the occurrence of fatal and non-fatal injuries among Utah residents.

Strategies
To accomplish our mission, VIPP collaborates with many partners to:

1. Collect injury data and conduct injury research.
2. Conduct education to increase awareness of injury causes and prevention.
3. Support legislation and enforcement efforts that reduce injury hazards and increase safe behaviors.
4. Plan and implement community-based injury prevention programs and activities.
   
   Click here to view the state Injury Prevention Strategic Plan.

Please contact us for more information.