OKLAHOMA CITY – Nov. 18 was proclaimed “Injury Prevention Day” in Oklahoma by Governor Stitt.
“People may not know that injuries are the third leading cause of death in Oklahoma, and are the leading cause of death for Oklahomans between the ages of 1 and 44 years,” said Christian Bonds, Injury Prevention Project coordinator for the Oklahoma State Department of Health. “Those are just a couple of reasons why we want to empower and educate communities about ways to address the challenge.”
Injuries are a major public health challenge in Oklahoma and across the nation.
• Every year more than 3,800 Oklahomans die from injuries, and more than 21,500 Oklahomans are hospitalized due to injury, the proclamation relates.
• Injuries account for more premature deaths before age 65 in Oklahoma than heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and liver disease – combined.
• Unintentional falls are the primary cause of injury death in Oklahoma and result in hospitalization of 9,500 Oklahomans per year, the Health Department reports.
• Two years ago, 869 Oklahomans died by suicide, OSDH records showed.
• Methamphetamine overdose represents 60% of drug overdose deaths in Oklahoma.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury deaths among children aged 5 to 9.
• 841 Oklahomans died from firearm-related injuries in 2020.
The State Health Department’s mission includes preventing disease and injury in the state “so Oklahomans can thrive,” agency officials said.
Injuries occur in “predictable and preventable patterns, and experiencing injury can have a lifelong impact,” the governor’s resolution declares.
The OSDH “continually works to combat injuries” through its Injury Prevention Service program, by collaborating with communities and stakeholders. The primary focus is targeting the causes of death and disability from violence and unintentional injuries, such as injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, drug overdoses and falls.