FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Nov. 18, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In observance of National Injury Prevention Day on Monday, Nov. 18, the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s (DPH) Injury and Substance Use Prevention Section is proud to announce the launch of South Carolina’s Injury Data Dashboard.
This comprehensive, interactive tool is designed to provide insightful data and analysis on various injury indicators and overall injuries in South Carolina.
“We’re excited to announce the launch of DPH’s Injury Data Dashboard,” said Emma Kennedy, Director of DPH’s Injury and Substance Use Prevention Section, which developed the dashboard. “The dashboard will allow partners to have injury data at their fingertips for writing grant applications, identifying high injury burden areas and directing resources where they are needed most.”
DPH’s Injury Data Dashboard focuses on the following injury data measures: Overall Injury, Motor Vehicle Traffic, Traumatic Brain Injury, Unintentional Falls, Drowning, Homicide/Assault, Suicide/Self-Harm, and Firearm.
The data includes Emergency Department Visits, Hospital In-Patient Visits and Mortality. Data can be further grouped by region or county. The goal of the dashboard is to help inform decision making, raise awareness of injuries in South Carolina, and provide access to valuable injury-related prevention resources.
According to the CDC’s National Injury Data Reports, the leading causes of death and hospitalization for people ages 1 to 44 are unintentional injuries and violence. Each year, unintentional and violence-related injuries cause more than 240,000 deaths among people of all ages in the United States. The CDC has also reported that the total cost of injury and violence in the United States is approximately $4.2 trillion per year.
In South Carolina in 2021, there were 6,150 overall injury deaths, as reported by DPH’s Vital Statistics Department. The SC Office of Revenue and Fiscal Affairs reported that in 2021 there were 25,521 overall injury hospitalizations and 420,806 overall injury emergency department visits.
National Injury Prevention Day is designed to raise awareness about the burden of injury and the need for change. It is dedicated to educating and empowering communities that support preventing injury and violence.
“We can all work together to prevent injuries through simple actions like buckling our seatbelts, assessing our surroundings for any obstacles, and locking up or disposing of unused medications,” said Heather Kirlough, DPH’s Core State Injury Prevention Plan Coordinator. “South Carolina should be a safe and healthy place for all our community members, and DPH is dedicated to providing statewide services and support.”
For more information about Injury Prevention in South Carolina, visit DPH’s Injury and Violence Prevention webpage.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 14, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is recognizing efforts being made to enhance the efficiency of stroke care and prevention throughout the state during the month of May, which is National Stroke Awareness Month.
A stroke occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability or even death.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 13, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — As National Hospital Week (May 11-17) is recognized across the country, the South Carolina Department of Public Health praises South Carolina’s hospital and healthcare workers for their courageous and caring roles in protecting people’s health. Healthcare workers are a fundamental part of DPH’s vision to support healthy people living in healthy communities.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 12, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — During National Women’s Health Week (May 12-18), the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds women about the importance of routine and preventive care for their mental and physical health. This weeklong recognition, which kicked off on Mother’s Day, also serves as an important time to encourage women and girls to take steps to improve their overall health.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 8, 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ahead of Mother’s Day on May 11, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages all moms, at every stage of motherhood, to make their physical and mental health a priority.