On any given day, injuries and violence result in 2,225 visits to the emergency room, more than 400 hospitalizations, and sadly, 17 deaths in North Carolina. In the course of a year, the latest data shows that more than a million North Carolinians are injured severely enough to have to go to the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital—adding up to more than the populations of Charlotte, High Point, and Wilmington combined. Injuries and violence are the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 60. As former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop put it: “If a disease were killing our children at the rate unintentional injuries are, the public would be outraged and demand that this killer be stopped.”
In the face of this challenge, over 75 public and private agencies have joined forces to reduce injuries and violence in the state. On April 28th, these partners will release North Carolina’s first Statewide Strategic Plan for Preventing Injuries and Violence.
The plan addresses topics including the prevention of car wrecks, drug overdoses, falls, suicides, and assaults. And it’s ambitious – with a goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from injury and violence by 15 percent within five years.
Developing this statewide plan is the first major achievement of the State Advisory Council on Injury and Violence Prevention, established in 2009. The State Advisory Council, which includes representation from hospitals, universities, state agencies, advocacy groups, and others, will lead the implementation of the plan.
You’re invited to join the partners, advocates, and policy makers at Injury and Violence Prevention Day, this April 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Legislative Building of the NC General Assembly. We welcome your support for this important cause!
To view or download the Statewide Strategic Plan for Preventing Injuries and Violence, please visit: www.injuryfreenc.ncdhhs.gov
To RSVP to Injury and Violence Prevention Day (it’s free!), please visit: http://bit.ly/apufs7