Injuries are the leading cause of death for British Columbians ages 1 to 44 years old.
More than 400,000 residents of BC are injured each year, even though a large majority of injuries are predictable and preventable. Furthermore, injuries cost British Columbians $3.7 billion over just one year (2010). Injuries have a profound effect on individuals, families, hospitals and society at large because they cause tremendous medical, psychosocial and financial burdens.
Trauma systems play an important role in not only responding to injury but in mitigating the burden of injury through injury prevention initiatives and partnerships. VGH Trauma Services works collaboratively with public health, academic institutions, and community organizations to identify key injury issues and support injury prevention initiatives at a local, regional and provincial level.
Provincial Injury Prevention Priorities: Report
This report, released in November 2017, details the findings from a prioritization process to provide guidance and recommendations to the Provincial Prevention and Health Promotion Policy Advisory Committee and the Provincial Public Health Executive Committee. This work was the result of a collaboration between the BC Injury Prevention Committee, all BC regional health authorities, Trauma Services BC, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Falls and Injury Prevention Coalition, and BC Ministry of Health. The priorities for injury prevention in BC are:
- Seniors Falls
- Transport-related injuries (young drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicle occupants)
- Youth suicide and self-harm
Read the full report.
A Case for Injury Prevention in BC
To support communities, BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) produced the British Columbia Casebook of Injury Prevention, a highly visual, online resource with useful charts and infographics that help make the case for injury prevention. The Casebook includes nine high-quality examples of injury prevention in action from the health authorities and demonstrates positive return on investment in injury prevention initiatives.
Injury Data Online Tool (iDOT)
The iDOT©, created by the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, is an easy-to-use, menu-driven system that makes injury data available to injury prevention practitioners and professionals, as well as the public. It is an effective and efficient way for users to access injury data including mortality, morbidity, traffic accidents, and sports. Access the iDOT©.
Additional Injury Prevention Resources:
Please visit the following links for more evidence-based practices for injury prevention:
