Injury and Violence Prevention News

Summer 2009
In this issue:
1. New Data Brief offers insight into sexual violence
2. Nine communities have safety days this summer
3. Publication links injury prevention with health reform
4. MIDAS injury and violence data updated for local use

1. New Data Brief offers insight into sexual violence

The MDH Injury and Violence Prevention Unit in May 2009 published Sexual Violence Data Brief: 2007-07. It is summarized in a News Release. The brief describes the prevalence of sexual violence in Minnesota from 2002 to 2007, comparing data on hospitalization and emergency-department treatment, two community surveys, and criminal justice data on reports to law enforcements and arrests.

Although findings from the sources differ, the results indicate an overall increase in awareness of sexual violence and improvements in the documentation of sexual assaults. The data also provide useful details about the victims, circumstances, and health care costs of sexual violence and the significance of sexual violence as a public health issue.



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2. Nine communities have safety days this summer


Attend one of nine free Safety Days Events in communities throughout Minnesota in July and August 2009, sponsored by AAA. The events include bicycle safety helmet fitting, six-point auto checkup, window chip repair, and child safety ID card.


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3. Publication links injury prevention with health reform

How can injury and violence prevention contribute to health care reform?

Injuries and violence are the major causes of hospitalization, disability, and medical care costs for all age groups. By preventing injury and violence, we substantially reduce medical care costs while improving our overall public health. For example, home visitation programs aimed at reducing child abuse and injury save from $3 to $6 for every dollar spent. Victims of child abuse and neglect suffer an increase risk of chronic disease and other health issues.

Not only is prevention effective in reducing disabilities, death, and pain and suffering, it saves money and is a critical component of meaningful healthcare reform.
The State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association  health reform fact sheet outlines several ways to prevent injuries and build safer communities.



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4. MIDAS injury and violence data updated for local use

Minnesota Injury Data Access System (MIDAS) is part of the MDH Injury and Violence Prevention Web site. It enables users to learn about the injury and violence data for Minnesotans, whether for a specific county, for a type of injury, or by gender, timeframe, or other factor.  The hospital injury data have just been updated to include 2007 information, and the “chart creator” includes violence data: intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and child maltreatment.



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Also see > National Center for Injury Prevention & Control (NCIPC), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the latest injury prevention news at the national-level.

mdh logo
Injury and Violence Prevention Unit
Minnesota Department of Health
PO BOX 64882
ST PAUL MN 55164-0882
(651) 201-5484
injury.prevention@health.state.mn.us

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The Minnesota Department of Health attempts to report all data accurately. If you discover an error, please contact us at Injury.Prevention@health.state.mn.us.
By using this system, you agree to not share these data in ways that would identify individuals or provide information on any malicious acts.