Public Policy Positions of VtPHA

Healthy Communities

Injury Prevention..

The Vermont Public Health Association recognizes that unintentional and intentional injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in Vermont and that they also contribute significantly to the cost of health care by necessitating emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Research and experience show that many of these injuries are not random incidences; they are predictable and preventable events. VtPHA supports:

• Education, prevention and intervention activities designed to reduce injuries
• Injury prevention legislation (e.g. primary seat-belt enforcement, helmet use)
• Evidenced-based prevention programs
• Linkage of primary care and other health services to reduce high risk behaviors
• Coordination and improvement of injury surveillance

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