Injury and Violence Prevention and Control
The Facts Hurt: A State-By-State Injury Prevention Policy Report gave a scathing insight into the situation present in each state concerning injury prevention. While there are some states that scored less than five in the scale for injury prevention, New York was ranked among the top tire states scoring nine out of the possible 10 among the key indicators for state injury prevention (Trust for America’s Health 12).Injury and Violence Prevention and Control
A comparison of the state of New York and others indicates that while some states continue to lag behind in the implementation of the key indicators of injury prevention, others are doing pretty well. California, for example, was ranked top with New York, scoring nine out of the possible 10 points in the prevention indicators. The 10 indicators include law provisions for seat belts, driving under alcohol influence, motorcycle helmets, booster seats, bicycle helmets, intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, concussion, accidental prescription drug overdose and Ecodes (Trust for America’s Health 14).
Montana, with the second highest injury-related death rate scored two on intimate partner violence and accidental prescription drug overdose. This is in comparison to New York that scored a nine, missing out only on the teen dating violence indicator. Connecticut on the other hand, had an above average score of seven, with no laws for motorcycle helmets, booster seats and teen dating violence. A comparison between Florida and New York put New York above Florida with New York’s nine weighing down Florida’s score of six (Trust for America’s Health 14). Florida therefore has no provisions for drunk driving, motorcycle helmets, booster seats and teen dating violence.Injury and Violence Prevention and Control
The legislation for all the 10 indicators of injury prevention marks the start of injury prevention for the state of New York. With an awareness of what the provisions in the law state, it has been possible to prevent injuries in New York. New York’s department of state runs programs trained towards adults as well as children, given the fact that injuries are among the leading causes of injuries in children (NY Dept. of Health). For adults therefore, the department has surveillance for the prevention of accidents. Other programs include traffic safety, fire prevention, traumatic brain injury prevention and fall prevention. Most of these prevention programs are carried out through campaigns and awareness programs. For children, measures include pedestrian safety programs, campaigns such as the “Injury-Free Kids!” and information to caretakers and parents on ways on making the children’s lives safer (NY Dept. of Health).Injury and Violence Prevention and Control
In addition to the legislation on the ten indicators, more legislation are required to include provisions on safety engineering in vehicles. Even more important is however the idea of educating the masses on way of remaining safe at any one point. It may also be necessary to run programs that teach individuals on methods of mitigating injuries once they occur. Given that prevention is far better than cure, the education should involve lessons on the identification and elimination of injury agents from around public and crowded areas. These lessons are especially important, given that injuries and violence are the prominent causes of demise (CDC).
Injuries have affected neighbors and friends. Specifically, neighbors’ children have fallen victims of injuries. While these children did not die from the unintentional falls, some have lost the use of some of their limbs, while others have been relegated to wheelchairs for the rest of their lives.Injury and Violence Prevention and Control