Important Facts for Unintentional injury deaths

Definition

Unintentional deaths due to all causes per 100,000 population. ICD-10 codes V01-X59, Y85-Y86.

Numerator

Number of unintentional injury deaths. (ICD-10 codes V01-X59, Y85-Y86)

Denominator

Total number of persons in the population of Utah.

Why Is This Important?

In Utah, unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death and disability. They accounted for 1,520 deaths in 2023. In addition, thousands of other nonfatal injuries are being treated in hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics, emergency departments, homes, schools, and work sites each year. In 2023, the leading causes of unintentional injury death for all ages in Utah were poisoning, falls, motor vehicle traffic crashes, suffocation, and drowning/submersion. Most injuries can be prevented by choosing safe behaviors, using safety equipment, and obeying safety laws. High-priority prevention areas include: poisoning, fall-related injury, motor vehicle crash injury, suffocation, pedestrian injury, and drowning/submersion.

Other Objectives

Utah's 42 Community Health Indicators

How Are We Doing?

The Utah annual age-adjusted rate of unintentional injury deaths had been on a slow upward trajectory since 2006 when the rate was 30.2 per 100,000 population. In 2022 the rate dropped to 49.7 per 100,000 population after peaking at 52.3 in 2021. The rate continued to drop in 2023 to 47.5 per 100,000. Twenty years ago in 2003 the leading causes of unintentional injury death were motor vehicle traffic deaths and fall deaths. Motor vehicle traffic death rates have declined over the last 20 years while fall death rates have increased. Unintentional poisoning death rates have skyrocketed and remain the leading cause of unintentional injury death in Utah.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The U.S. unintentional injury death rate has been higher than the Utah rate since 2016. In 2022 (the most recent U.S. data) the age-adjusted rate for the U.S. was 64.0 per 100,000 and the Utah rate was 49.7.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) is working with several agencies, such as the Utah Department of Public Safety, Primary Children's Medical Center, and the 13 local health departments to further reduce unintentional injury deaths. Most injuries can be prevented by choosing safe behaviors, using safety equipment, and obeying safety laws. High-priority prevention areas include poisonings, motor vehicle crash injury, and fall-related injury.

Health Program Information

The VIPP collaborates with the Utah Highway Safety Office, Zero Fatalities campaign, and local health departments to conduct educational campaigns which target 16- to 19-year-old drivers, young pedestrians, law enforcement, etc. as funding allows. The Utah SAFE KIDS Coalition works to prevent unintentional injuries among children through raising community awareness, influencing policies, promoting safety, and establishing private/public partnerships. Inspections and instructions on the proper use of car seats, booster seats, and bicycle helmets are offered routinely to the public with car seat checkpoints and helmet education and distribution statewide. The Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) is a trusted and comprehensive resource for data related to violence and injury. Through education, this information helps promote partnerships and programs to prevent injuries and improve public health.