Riding unrestrained is the greatest risk factor for death and injury among child
occupants in motor vehicle crashes. According to Mississippi Safe Kids, in 1997 sixty-three
percent of children ages 14 and under killed in motor vehicle crashes were unrestrained. The
Mississippi State Department of Health recognized the severity of this problem and now makes
car seats available and offers instruction on their proper use. Contact your local health department for more
information.
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Bicycle Safety activities are held throughout the nine public health districts in
Mississippi. MSDH staff conduct bicycle rodeos, classroom presentations, and community
presentations where bicycle helmets (subject to availability) and safety information is
distributed. (MSDH partnership with the Mississippi Department of Transportation)
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Motor vehicle fatalities are the number one cause of injury deaths in
the state, and Mississippi has the highest motor vehicle fatality death rate in the nation.
The Injury Prevention program works collaboratively with the following to promote more
aggressive motor vehicle laws:
Data source: CDC Mortality File 1999-2004
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The MSDH Fire-Related Injury Prevention Program is a federally funded state-based program to reduce
fire deaths. The primary responsibility and goal of this program is to implement Public Health
Interventions to prevent fire related injuries. The MSDH Fire-Related Injury Prevention Program plans, promotes,
delivers, and evaluates programs/interventions related to fire injuries. Mississippi continues to have one of the
highest death rates in the nation from fires.
Currently, we're receiving funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to install smoke
detectors within areas with the highest fire mortality rate. To contact program staff, call (601) 576-7781.
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The Violence Prevention program's focus is intentional violence/injuries.
Intentional violence occurs within many of our communities, schools, and homes. The primary
goal of the Violence Prevention program is to identify ways to decrease the number of violent
acts (and injuries resulting from those acts) within our communities. The program's initial
phase will focus on researching the problem of violence in Mississippi. Information gathered
during the initial phase will direct program activities within the second phase of the program.
The second phase of the Violence Prevention program will consist of implementing activities
that will aid in decreasing intentional violence/injuries in our state. To contact the program
staff, call (601) 576-7781.
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