Community injury control programs of the Indian Health Service: an early assessment.

In response to the high rates of injury morbidity and mortality among Native Americans, the Indian Health Service initiated community injury control programs in 1982 mainly aimed at educating the populations served. Substantial declines in hospitalization rates per population for falls, motor vehicle injuries, and assaults were observed through 1984. Regression analyses of changes in hospitalization rates for particular types of injury in relation to rates of persons served in 54 service units suggests some favorable effect of certain activities and possible adverse effect of a few. Increased targeting of effort based on detailed surveillance of serious injuries is planned.