Agenda 04-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC HEALTH TASK FORCE 2004: PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN INJURY PREVENTION Need Addressed /Rationale Injury is the leading cause of death in NC for persons aged 1 -44 and the fourth leading cause of death for all ages. In 2001, there were 5,071 deaths an NC from injuries with half of these deaths occurring people 1 -44 years of age. Between the ages of 10 -24, there was an average of 127 suicide deaths per Y ear ( 1997 - 2001). Injuries result in more years of productive life lost than any other cause of death. team from the State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors Association conducted an assessment of NC's injury and prevention program in 2003 and concluded that there is a clear need for the development of injury prevention infrastructure at the state and local level. In 1999, an Institute of Medicine report called for significantly increased funding to strengthen the public health infrastructure in injury prevention by developing core injury prevention programs ins each state (i.e. ability to perform the core functions /essential services of public health). Little funding available to strengthen NC's capacity for unintentional injuries. The ability to perform the core functions of assurance and policy development is greatly compromised. Local public health infrastructure is non - existent and there is no state support to local health departments for core injury and violence prevention programs. Suicide and homicide rates underscore health disparities in this area. Homicide rates are especially high among minority populations, with African Americans and American Indians being four times more likely to die of homicide than whites. Infrastructure /Capacity Improvement • Develop and apply- health communication strategies (including social marketing) for informing and influencing individual/community decision - making to prevent injuries and violence. • Build state capacity to supply the leadership, financial and technical assistance needed at the ocal level to conduct core elements of injury programs: needs assessment, program development/ evaluation, staff training, local data surveillance, and other technical assistance as recommended by the Institute of Medicine (1999). • Build infrastructure /capacity at the local level to perform core functions by establishing and supporting a lead Local Health Department within 6 regions in NC (similar to Cardiovascular or Health), and two Local Health Departments to provide leadership and capacity building minority /special populations. State Local Budget . 4 Full Time $ 275,000 Fun g din for salaries/benefits ($182,9.46) for Equivalents (Health Communication Specialist, Program Coordviator,,, Pro gram Evaluator, and Office Assistant): Funding ($92,054) for program development/evaluation support, e ui ment, and o erational cost. $ 800,000 Funding of $100.,000 for each lead LHD within 6 regions in NC, and $100,000 for each of the two minority /special population focused Local Health 'Departments 47