Preventing Injuries
The burden of injury on our province, our health care system, and our citizens is staggering. Consider the following:
- In 2016, 1,204 Albertans died from injury, 31,449 required hospitalization and 490,769 were treated in emergency departments due to injuries. (source: Alberta Health: Interactive Data Applications 2018)
- In 2004, injuries cost Albertans $2.94 billion in direct and indirect costs.
- The costs to a seriously injured individual and his or her family are immeasurable.
- Injury is the leading cause of death for Albertans ages 1 to 44.
- Falls are the leading cause of Injury.
- Injuries may be unintentional, such as those due to motor vehicle collisions, or they may be intentional, such as those that result from violence or suicidal behaviour. Whether unintentional or intentional, most of injuries are preventable. Injury prevention has a place in all areas of health care including the prevention and treatment of mental illness and addictions.
The injury picture changes across the life span, age and developmental stage influences injury risks and therefore best practices in injury prevention.
Preventing Injuries - Get the Facts
