“Injury is probably the most under recognized major public health problem facing the nation today, and the study of injury represents unparalleled opportunities for reducing morbidity and mortality and for realizing significant savings in both financial and human terms—all in return for a relatively modest investment.” 

Injury Prevention: Meeting the Challenge, The National Committee for Injury Prevention and Control. New York: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 1989, p. 1.

Program Overview

Program Objectives

• Coordinate surveillance systems that collect injury data
• Assess the burden of injuries and violence and communicate that information for the purpose of action
• Promote evidence-based, injury prevention interventions for at-risk populations
• Coordinate and collaborate with partners in building program infrastructure
• Encourage the adoption of evidence-based policies and programs that lead to the prevention of injury and violence
• Provide technical support and training as needed

Program Initiatives

Areas of focus:

• Child/Youth Injury
• Drug Overdose
• Falls Among Older Adults

Child Passenger Safety

ODH's child passenger safety (CPS) program, Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB), provides child safety seats and booster seats to eligible low income families in all Ohio counties.

Injury Surveillance

The VIPS is a data driven program that uses population-based surveillance systems and additional data sources to inform prevention activities, policies and program evaluation efforts. The VIPS assesses the impact of violence and injury on Ohio’s population by analyzing morbidity, mortality and survey data. 

• Injury Surveillance and Data

Local Injury Prevention Grants

The VIPS provides funding through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG) to local programs targeting injury.

Ohio Injury Prevention Partnership (OIPP)

OIPP is a statewide coalition focused on priority injury areas composed of the following action groups:

• Child Injury Action Group
• Data Action Group
• Older Adults Falls Prevention Coalition
• Ohio Overdose Prevention Network

Stop Overdoses

VIPS has launched a naloxone campaign which features Ohioans who have been saved by naloxone. It includes stories from individuals and their families about the dangers of opiate abuse as well as posters and a radio spot that can be used in local communities.

Take Charge Ohio

VIPS has launched a comprehensive education and awareness campaign to combat the epidemic of prescription drug misuse, abuse and overdose. The campaign provides information directed toward health professionals, patients and the general public; it also includes a public awareness toolkit.

External Resources

Click here for a link to external resources related to injury. These resources cover all injury topics. Additional external resources for injury-specific topics may be found on the Child Injury, Drug Overdose and Falls Among Older Adults pages. 

Disclaimer:  Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by the Ohio Department of Health or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.

Get in touch

Ohio Department of Health
Violence and Injury Prevention Section
35 E. Chestnut Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: (614) 466-2144
Fax: (614) 564-2409
Ohio Relay Service: 1-800-750-0750
E-mail: HealthyOhio@odh.ohio.gov