Released on July 4, 2008
In Saskatchewan, as in the rest of Canada, injuries are a leading cause of death, a fact made more poignant since about 90 per cent of injuries are preventable.
This statistic is one of many findings of a report released today by the provincial government. The first of its kind in Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Comprehensive Injury Surveillance Report, 1995-2005, brings together the latest available information on injuries affecting people in Saskatchewan.
"Keeping Saskatchewan residents healthy and safe is a top priority of this government," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This report provides key research we need in order to strengthen injury prevention programs for our residents, thereby making Saskatchewan an even safer and healthier place to live and work."
"The report fills an important gap in identifying preventable causes of disability and death in the province," Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Ross Findlater said.
The top causes of hospitalized injury in Saskatchewan include falls; motor vehicle transport incidents; suicide and self-harm; assault and homicide; poisoning; and drowning, submersion and suffocation. The attached highlights provide an overview of the key findings in the report. The full report is posted on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health website at www.health.gov.sk.ca.
The report was developed by the provincial government, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board, Safe Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: khill@health.gov.sk.ca