Injury in Utah

Injuries and violence can have a dramatic impact on a person's ability to lead an active, fulfilling life. Injuries are the leading cause of death for Utahns ages 1-44. Every day in Utah,

• 4 people die from injury or violence
• 30 people are hospitalized due to injury or violence
• 456 people are treated in an emergency department due to injury or violence

In 2010, the top five injury related deaths in Utah were:

1. Suicide
2. Motor Vehicle Traffic
3. Accidental Poisoning (the majority of which are due to prescription opioids)
4. Falls
5. Undetermined Poisoning (the majority of which are due to prescription opioids)

In 2010 alone,

• 1,461 Utahns died from an injury
  or violence
• 11,399 Utahns were hospitalized due to an injury or violence
• 151,096 Utahns were treated in an emergency department due to an injury or violence. That's enough people to fill the Energy Solutions
  Arena eight times!

Research shows that most injuries are predictable and preventable.

Our Mission

The Utah Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Program is to be "a trusted and comprehensive resource for data and technical assistance related to violence and injury. This information helps promote partnerships and programs to prevent injuries and improve public health."

To accomplish our mission, we collaborate 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.