Why is there a need for an Injury Research Center in the Great Lakes Region V?
A primary targeted federal effort to reduce injury deaths and disabilities in our nation is the Injury Research Center program at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. The Injury Research Centers around the nation carry out important research, education and service activities to reduce injury deaths and disabilities and improve the care of injured patients. Region V (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio) has over 48 million people (18% of our nation's population). Regional Facts In 1998, residents of Region V experienced over 16,400 injury deaths from unintentional causes (motor vehicles, bicycles, fires, poisonings and falls), 3,000 homicides, and 4,800 suicides. In Region V, children ages 5-14 years have a 24% greater injury mortality rate than the United States as a whole. National Facts Together, intentional and unintentional injuries account for more deaths of Americans under age 25 than all other causes of death combined. Each year approximately 150,000 Americans die from an injury and over 2 million Americans are hospitalized for their injuries. Many of those who are hospitalized suffer from permanent disabilities. Wisconsin Facts Over 2,700 Wisconsin residents die of injuries each year. Motor vehicles and falls are the most common cause of unintentional injury in Wisconsin. Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among kids ages 1-17 years and young adults ages 18-34 years. Firearms are the most common cause of intentional injury in Wisconsin, accounting for a majority of both homicides and suicides.