News Release                                                   For Immediate Release

                                                                                                March 31, 2005

Injury rate of Grey-Bruce residents improving but still higher than provincial average

Data released in late 2004 shows that while injuries requiring hospitalization are on the decline, Grey-Bruce residents are getting hurt more often and requiring more hospital care than the provincial average.  Over a 5-year period, from 1997–2001, there was an average of 1581 hospital admissions each fiscal year from all injuries in Grey-Bruce. 

According to statistics from 2001, the total hospitalization rate due to injuries for Grey and Bruce Counties was 69% higher than the provincial average.

“It’s good to see injury rates have come down almost 10% over the past 5 years,” says Police Constable Steve Starr, “but we need to recognize the impact injuries are still having on our community. Many factors come into play on our roads and in our homes, including drugs and alcohol, weather conditions and driving ability.  We have to remember that we have some control over these situations.”

Hospitalization rates due to falls were 70% higher than the provincial average, with a greater number of seniors (aged 65 and older) requiring care for fall-related injuries. Grey-Bruce has a higher population of seniors at 18% compared to 13% for the province. Falls also make up a large percentage of childhood injuries and health professionals are concerned about the public’s level of awareness when it comes to prevention.

“There is still a lot of work to be done in convincing people that injuries can be avoided,” says Carrie Griffith, the public health nurse who oversees a project focusing on the prevention of childhood injuries.  A recent telephone survey shows that slightly more than half of Grey-Bruce residents know childhood injuries can be prevented. Griffith adds, “Many parents and caregivers know that they can make a big difference, but many don’t realize that injuries are the leading cause of death for children 0-6 years of age.  The most important and simple thing parents can do in any situation is to closely supervise their children.”

Also alarming in Grey and Bruce Counties is the number of hospitalizations due to motor vehicle collisions.  Not only are hospitalization rates for collisions 116% higher than the provincial average, rates are two to three times higher for key groups.  In the 0-15 age group, the hospitalization rate is 175% higher, the 16-24 year age group is 216% higher and the 25-34 year age group is 163% higher than the provincial average.  

Hanover Fire Chief Ken Rosebourgh has experienced these tragedies first hand. “Too many times we respond to tragedies that could have been prevented,” he says.

Public Health and partners in pubic safety are challenging their co-workers and the public to change how they think about injuries with the “No More Accidents! Call it what it is…injury, collision, incident or crash” campaign.  Recently, the campaign was presented at the Ontario Injury Prevention Conference and adopted by the Southwest Region.

“We know that 9 out of 10 injuries are preventable,” says Marguerite Thomas, a public health nurse who works with seniors on the prevention of falls.  “We owe it to those people who have been injured or who have lost their lives to injuries not to let history repeat itself.”

If you would like more information on how to prevent injuries call Public Health at 376-9420 or 881-1920, or log on to www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca and visit the section on injury prevention.

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For more information:

Marguerite Thomas

Public Health Nurse

Grey Bruce Health Unit

881-1920 Ext. 246

Cst Steve Starr

Community Service Officer

O.P.P

794-7827

Ken Rosebourgh

Hanover Fire Chief

364-2780 Ext. 239