Injury Prevention

Injuries occur in British Columbia every day: a senior falls, a person is hurt in a car crash, and a child has a sports injury. Some injuries heal, while others may lead to permanent disability and death.  While incidents that cause injury may seem inevitable and random, most injuries are predictable and preventable.

Individuals and communities play an important part in reducing the frequency and severity of injuries. Becoming aware of risks in everyday life is the first step to create a safer environment for yourself, your family, and your community.

Injury Prevention: Focus areas

Injury prevention work is guided by BC’s Guiding Framework for Public Health (PDF, 2.1MB). Current efforts are focused on:

• Seniors’ fall prevention
• Sport and recreation injury prevention

Read the Injury Prevention Strategic Policy Framework 2021/22 to 2022/23 Action Plan (PDF, 1.8MB)

Partners

The public health system relies on collaborative partnerships in order to support service delivery in the province. Key partner in injury prevention include:

BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) – The unit seeks to reduce the societal and economic impact of injuries through research, surveillance, education, knowledge transfer, public information, and the support of evidence-based, effective prevention measures.

Centre for Hip Health and Mobility – this research centre focuses on prevention, detection, and improved treatment of bone and joint diseases.