Strengthening injury prevention and control is a strategic initiative of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH). Our injury prevention efforts include promotion of policy changes, education, and support of communities as they engage in injury prevention activities. Some of our principal areas of work over the past several years have related to prevention of falls among the elderly and fire injury prevention efforts. Our traumatic brain injury program promotes system change for those individuals with brain injuries and their families. The Section works closely with the Arkansas Injury Prevention Coalition, the mission of which is to reduce injury in Arkansas through support of collaborative injury prevention efforts. In addition, participation in national organizations, such as the Safe States Alliance, gives the Section increased visibility and a way to increase its knowledge base and overall effectiveness.
The field of injury prevention in Arkansas took great strides forward in 2009. The legislature enacted primary seatbelt and graduated driver’s license laws, each of which is expected to reduce mortality and morbidity with respect to motor vehicle crashes. Either of these laws would be a significant achievement for our injury prevention efforts. However, the legislature went even further to protect Arkansans by passing Act 393, otherwise known as the Trauma System Act. This extremely significant piece of legislation means that severely injured victims will be transported to the right hospital in the shortest time possible, saving over 200 lives a year in our State. As injury prevention is an important part of any successful trauma system, the legislation also strengthens this area in a variety of ways, to include funding and additional personnel. It is noted, however, that the legislation did not fund an Injury Prevention Section Chief position. The ADH will continue to explore options to ensure this position is authorized and filled.
The plan is based on Arkansas injury data and the national Healthy People 2010 Objectives for Injury Prevention. The plan addresses both long and short-term goals for each of the five areas of concern.
This summary of 1999-2001 data reflects an analysis of the incidence of injury and fatality in Arkansas. The analysis update is presented across causal factors through Arkansas’ mortality, hospital discharge and emergency services vehicle run databases. The analysis also provides an overview of Intentional and Unintentional injuries and deaths.
| Office | Address | Phone | Fax | | Injury Prevention | 4815 W. Markham Street, Slot 4
Little Rock, AR 72204 | 501-683-0707 | 501-280-4729 |
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