Did you know that falls accounted for 133 severe injuries (33%) the years of 2000 – 2005 with an average of 22 per year. Falls occurred more often in women (53%) than men (47%). 37% of those falls were age 61 and older. 38% of the falls occurred in the home and falls down stairs were most common. During this time two falls resulted in death and 50% resulted in hospitalization. Alcohol was associated with 32% of the fall injuries.
Motor vehicle crashes accounted for 118 sever injuries (29%) during this same period. Nine of the crashes resulted in death. 68% of the crashes occurred in men and 32% in women. 87% of the crashes were single vehicle with 8 of the reported deaths in single vehicle crashes. Vehicles hitting trees were the most common types of crashes. 50% of the crashes were alcohol related. Personal protections such as seatbelts were only used in 13% of the crash victims. 37% of the crashes occurred in adolescents and youth age group.
During random seat belt/child passenger safety seat checkpoints 299 vehicles were inspected. Of the 299 vehicles, 200 (67%) of the drivers were wearing seatbelts and 99 (33%) were not; out of the 97 adult passengers 57 (57%) wore seat belts and 42 (43%) did not; of the 12 children 8 (67%) were properly restrained in approved child passenger safety seats. And four (33%) were not.
The results of this data along with past data and the current economic status of the reservation strongly illustrate the need to increase injury prevention activities on the Menominee Indian Reservation.
I have recently been employed as the Injury Prevention Coordinator for the Menominee Indian Tribe, under an IHS injury prevention grant. I work at the Environmental Services Department at the Forestry Center.
The purpose of the grant is to reduce the number and severity of unintentional injuries on the Menominee Reservation, with emphasis on motor vehicle crashes and elderly falls. One of the main objectives of the grant is to build an injury prevention coalition and analyze the current injury prevention programs and surveillance data. The second objective is the development and implementation of community education programs to increase awareness of injury prevention. These are some of the objectives that I will be addressing in the near future.
I am excited about the position and I look forward to working with each of you to make the Menominee Indian Reservation a safer community and reduce the number of injuries related to MVC’s and elderly falls.
Pamela Nelson, RN
Injury Prevention Coordinator
Menominee Indian Tribe
P.O. Box 910
Keshena, WI 54135
715-799-4938
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