SALT LAKE CITY – A report recently released by the Utah Department of Health provides information about the kinds of violence and injuries occurring in Utah neighborhoods.
The report summarizes 17 different injury related topics, including things like car accidents, injuries to children and suicides.
The Utah Department of Health indicates that, on average, four people die in Utah from injury or violence each day, and 31 people are hospitalized. Another 444 are treated in an emergency department due to injury or violence.
The report provides data for 62 different geographic regions in the state, which are organized by zip code. The data could allow for better prevention resources for violence and injuries, as authorities have a better idea about what issues certain areas face and can distribute resources accordingly.
Injury Prevention Coordinator Jenny Johnson of the Utah Department of Health said sometimes areas that are near each other can still have drastically different needs.
“One example is with suicide attempts,” she said. “In Brigham City, that small area actually has the highest suicide attempt rate that results in an emergency department visit, but in Logan, which is also within that same health district, they have one of the lowest rates, so we see huge differences.”
Johnson said the data provides insight on a neighborhood level.
“It’s really important because it helps people pinpoint exactly what the issues are that their community might be dealing with, so they know what to do about them,” she said.
She said they hope lawmakers, emergency responders, community leaders and others will use the data to better protect Utah citizens.
Click here for a PDF of the report: 2013 Small Area Report
