Injury Prevention and Epidemiology

Injuries (unintentional and intentional combined) are the leading cause of death in Maryland citizens aged one to 44 years.  The economic burden of hospitalized injuries alone exceeds $200 million annually.  A main focus of the Injury Prevention Program is preventing deaths and disabilities due to these unintentional and intentional injuries.

The Division of Injury Prevention and Epidemiology is addressing this critical public health issue through a combination of efforts which include:

  • Understanding the number and nature of injuries occurring in Maryland and the factors, which place individuals at-risk.  This is accomplished through coordinated epidemiologic surveillance and information gathering activities resulting in the Injuries in Maryland: A Statewide Perspective Reports.
  • Creating, coordinating, and evaluating prevention programs targeted toward identified populations or injury hazards.  This is accomplished through efforts to change human behavior, alter the physical environment, or enhance policies that increase protection from injury.  Close collaboration with the Statewide Injury Prevention Coordinators Network enables the Division to conduct prevention programs in the local communities.
  • Increasing the capacity of the State and others to effect meaningful injury prevention in both new and existing practice settings.  This is accomplished in collaboration with the Maryland Injury Community Planning Group (ICPG) known as the Partnership for a Safer Maryland, a dedicated group of injury professionals and advocates that advise and assist the Division with establishing priorities and future directions regarding injury and violence prevention initiatives in Maryland.

Injury Related Deaths

Partnership for a Safer Maryland

An Assessment of the Maryland Injury Prevention and Epidemiology Division

The types of injuries addressed include (among many others):

For more information, please contact:

Erin Reiney, MPH, CHES
Injury Prevention Coordinator
Center for Health Promotion
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
201 West Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-767-6779 phone
410-333-5030 fax
ereiney@dhmh.state.md.us