The total estimated lifetime medical and work loss costs of injuries and violence in the United States was $671 billion in 2013, according to new research released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The lifetime medical and work loss costs associated with fatal injuries was $214 billion while nonfatal injuries accounted for over $457 billion. Each year more than 3 million people are hospitalized, 27 million people are treated in emergency departments and released, and over 192,000 die as a result of unintentional and violence related injuries each year. Injuries and violence are a significant public health problem in Larimer County. Motor Vehicle injuries, suicide, and older adult falls are the leading causes of hospitalization in northern Colorado.

“UCHealth is committed to the health of our community and that includes providing education on how to prevent injuries that result in hospitalization,” said Janet Werst, Community Health Supervisor.  Although injuries are among the most common and costly health problems in the U.S. and Colorado, they are also one of the most preventable. Colorado is working to implement evidence-based programs and policies to prevent injuries and violence to reduce not only the pain and suffering of victims, but also the considerable costs to society. For example, UCHealth offers Stepping On, an evidence-based fall prevention program for older adults.  To learn more about violence and injury prevention in Colorado visit www.vipreventionnetworkco.com. To read the new CDC research visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr. To learn more about the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control works to prevent injury and violence visit http://www.cdc.gov/injury.