Indian Health Service (IHS) Injury Prevention Program

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Injuries are the leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives from ages 1-44 years, and the third leading cause of death overall. Unintentional injury mortality rates for Indian people are approximately three times higher than the combined all-U.S. races rate (IHS, Trends in Indian Health 2000-2001). However, this disparity varies by IHS regional Area and by cause of injury (CDC, Atlas of Injury Mortality Among American Indian and Alaska Native Children and Youth, 2005).

The IHS has established a widely-recognized injury prevention program that works with tribes and other partners to reduce the disproportionate impact of injuries on Indian people.

http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/InjuryPrevention/