Safe Communities Goal

Motor Vehicle Restraints

GOAL: Increase percent of 9-12 graders who report using seat belt “always, most of the time, or sometimes when riding in a car driven by someone else.

Baseline: 76.4% of 9-12th graders in Buffalo County report using the seat belt always, most of the time, or sometimes when riding in a car driven by someone else. (YBRFS 2000)

Target: 80%

Desired Trend: Increase

Rationale

The risk of injury is so great that most persons sustain a significant injury at some time during their lives. Nevertheless, this widespread human damage too often is taken for granted, in the erroneous belief that injuries happen by chance and are the result of an unpreventable accident. In fact, many injuries are not accidents, or random, uncontrollable acts of fate; rather, most injuries are predictable and preventable. In 1997, 149,691 Americans died from injuries due to a variety of causes such as motor vehicle crashes, firearms, poisonings, suffocation, falls, fires and drownings. In 1997, injuries accounted for 20 percent more years of potential life lost than cancer did. (Healthy People 2010 pg 15-3/15-4)

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Fall Prevention in Older Adults

GOAL: Reduce hospital trauma admissions due to falls in older adults, 60 years and older

Baseline: Buffalo County adults 60 years and older admitted to Good Samaritan Emergency Room for falls 42/1,000 population in 2003. (GSHS HIM Dept, Emergency Dept. and Planning Dept.)

Target: 5% less than baseline

Desired Trend: Decrease

The number one trauma admission in Buffalo County is from falls in people over the age of 65 years. A fall is defined as; Fall on same level from slipping, tripping or stumbling, fall on same level from collision, pushing, shoving by or with another person, accidental fall from one level to another, accidental fall on or from stairs or steps, accidental fall on or from ladders or scaffolding, accidental fall from or out of building or other structure, accidental fall into hole or other opening in surface or other and unspecified accidental fall.

According to the CDC Injury Fact Book for 2000-2001, Every hour an older adults dies as a result of a fall.The Emergency Nurses Association states that 85% of falls occur in the home and about 5% result in fractures. Source: National ENCARE.

The most common fall-related injuries are fractures of the spine, hip or forearm caused by osteoporosis and these injuries cost over $75-$100 billion each year. One out of every three persons 65 years or older fall each year. 50% of the people hospitalized for a fall do not recover. Studies show that a woman who has fallen twice and does not exercise is more likely to fall again compared to a woman who has fallen twice, but begins exercising. Her risk of falling is decreased by almost half.

Exercise is important because it can strengthen bones, muscles and the heart. Tai Chi, a martial arts form that enhances balance and body awareness through slow, graceful, and precise body movements, can significantly cut the risk of falls among older people and may be beneficial in maintaining gains made by people age 70 and older who undergo other types of balance and strength training. The news comes in two reports appearing in the May 1996 issues of the Journal of American Geriatrics Society. One study found that older people taking part in a 15-week Tai Chi program reduced their risk of falling by 47.5%.

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