|
Alberta's injury rates are appalling. Injury is the leading killer of Albertans
under 45 and a major disabler of all age groups. Alberta has one of the highest
injury rates in Canada.
More than 1,700 Albertans die annually from injuries. For every injury death
there are, on average, 33 injury hospital admissions and 273 emergency
department visits. More importantly, every injury death causes untold pain and
suffering for loved ones. Severe injuries change lives forever.
Injuries heavily
burden our health care resources and many injured people will require lifetime
support. A conservative estimate of the annual economic burden of injuries in
Alberta is $2.9 billion or $918 for every citizen.
The major causes of injury in
Alberta are suicide and self-inflicted injuries, motor vehicle-related injuries,
falls, unintentional poisonings, and other injuries due to being struck by an
object/person, or cutting and piercing. An average of 435 Albertans commit
suicide each year while motor vehicle-related incidents are the leading cause of
injury death for Albertans under 30 years of age.
Injuries involving Aboriginal
people are two to four times higher than the general population. Farming is the
third most dangerous industry in Canada. Alcohol is a major factor in injuries.
Injuries are preventable.
They are not accidents.
Injuries have causes.
They don’t just happen.
They are not caused by fate or bad luck.
Injury prevention provides a model and a structure for examining injuries and
finding solutions. The broader field of injury control identifies strategies for
enhanced emergency treatment of injuries and stronger rehabilitation of injured
persons, in addition to primary prevention.
For more information, click here to view the Injury Alberta Report 2011.
|