Unintentional Injuries Data
Some injuries are considered unintentional, meaning there was no intent to do harm. Unintentional injuries are preventable events and are no longer considered "accidents." Many behaviors have been put in place over the last several decades to reduce unintentional injuries, including seatbelt use in cars, increased helmet use while riding bikes, and using life jackets in the water, among many others.
In 2017, we updated the 2015 Central Oregon Regional Health Assessment (RHA) with new data. This page provides an overview of updated data on unintentional injuries. Please read through the information below, or download the unintentional injuries overview handout from the supporting documents section at the bottom of the page.
You can find additional data related to unintentional injuries, as well as information on a variety of other health topics in the Regional Health Assessment Midpoint Update document.
Unintentional injury mortality rate (Click for larger image)
Vital statistics data, including death certificates, allow us to monitor the number of deaths from unintentional injuries in our community. Of the three Central Oregon counties, Jefferson County had the highest unintentional injury-related mortality rate (per 100,000 population). Jefferson County's rate of unintentional injury deaths was statistically higher than Deschutes County's rate and Oregon's rate as a whole.
Motor vehicle crash mortality rate (Click for larger image)
We also use vital statistics data to monitor deaths from motor vehicle crashes. In 2015, there were over 20 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Central Oregon. Over the past 10 years, Jefferson County had the highest rate (per 100,000 population) of deaths from motor vehicle crashes of the three Central Oregon counties.
Unintentional poisoning mortality rate (Click for larger image)
We also monitor deaths from unintentional poisonings from drugs or other substances using vital statistics data. Over the past 10 years, Deschutes County death rates (per 100,000 population) were statistically lower than death rates in Oregon as a whole.
Unintentional falls mortality rate, by sex (Click for larger image)
We can also learn about unintentional deaths from falls using vital statistics data. Over the past 10 years, death rates (per 100,000 population) from falls were highest among Jefferson County men. In fact, Jefferson County men had a statistically higher mortality rate from falls than Oregon men. In contrast, Deschutes County men had a statistically lower mortality rate from falls than Oregon men.
