YOUR ROLE IN INJURY PREVENTION

While the greatest impact of injury is in human suffering, the financial cost is staggering, creating a major cost burden on the health care system.

Injury Prevention is a shared responsibility. The importance of individual behaviour and self-responsibility are widely accepted in Health Promotion, but it’s generally acknowledged that the foundations of health are embedded in the social environment.¹ Such foundations include education, social support networks, employment with good working conditions, access to the natural environment, social justice and equity, autonomy, safe communities and neighborhoods, and universal health care.

"Public health can be achieved only through collective action, not through individual endeavor.”

Lawrence Gostin

The public health importance of injuries is highlighted by the fact that injury particularly affects young and productive members of society.² Injuries are the leading cause of death for Albertans between the ages of 1 and 44. Too many Albertans bear the economic and social strain of serious injuries like loss of employment, costs of care and rehabilitation, as well as family breakdown.

Every Albertan has the opportunity to affect change in injury prevention policies and promote safety culture. Together, we can ensure health services are reoriented to support health promotion in addition to treatment and cure. Good health is not itself a goal – it’s an asset, a resource for everyday living and participation in a civil society.¹

What can you do?

Everyone accepts that injuries happen - bumps and bruises are a part of life. But whether you're at home, at work, or at play, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent injuries to yourself and others.³

• Take personal responsibility for doing the right things to prevent injuries.
• Share your knowledge and experience with others so that they do the right things to prevent injuries.
• If you take risks, make sure they are calculated risks.
• Manage your environment to avoid or decrease hazards.
• Consider the consequences of your actions.

¹ Mittelmark, MB. The Psychology of Social Influence and Healthy Public Policy. Preventive Medicine 29, S24–S29. 1999.

² Haddon Jr., W. Advances in the Epidemiology of Injuries as a Basis for Public Safety. Public Health Reports. 95(5): 411-421. 1980.

³ Geller, ES & Clarke, SW. Safety Self-Management: A Key Behaviour-Based Process for Injury Prevention. Professional Safety. 44(7): 29-33. 1999.

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