PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Unintentional injury deaths

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.

Twenty years ago 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 and are now only exceeded by unintentional poisoning deaths. Unintentional poisonings have been the leading cause of unintentional deaths since 2009. The rate declined in 2022, but increased to the highest it has been in 2023.

Data Notes

ICD-10 codes V01-X59, Y85-Y86. Does not include legal intervention. Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population.

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.

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.