Reducing injury rates using a community-based approach.

BACKGROUND

Injuries are the number one cause of morbidity and mortality to persons aged 1-44 years in the United States. Community-based interventions offer one approach to reducing injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether injuries could be reduced over a 5 year period by at least 20% in a midwestern community using a proven community-based model compared with three control communities.

MATERIALS/METHODS: The Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Greater Cincinnati began its injury-reducing efforts within one Intervention Community (IC) in 2000. After reviewing injury data, engaging community members, and holding focus groups to assess community needs, specific structural and social alterations were made to engage youth in safe, supervised activities and provide them with safe play places. Data were obtained from the Hamilton County Injury Surveillance System from 1999-2004 for deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. Data in our IC were compared with three control communities in the city with similar demographics and socioeconomic characteristics. 2000 Census data were used to calculate injury rates.

RESULTS

During study period, 5065 IC youth sustained 3796 injuries, while 9297 youth from the control settings sustained 5445 injuries. Injury rate in the IC decreased 42% from 1999 to 2004, 17551.83 to 10187.56 injuries/100,000 children/year, respectively, compared with the mean rate among the three control sites, which decreased 25.7%, 12950.41 to 9626.76 injuries/100,000 children/year. This difference was statistically significant, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

Community prevention efforts that engage youth in supervised activities and provide safe play areas can help to reduce youth injuries within specific high-risk communities.