Santa Barbara County 1999 Community Health Findings

One death out of every 14 in the United States results from injury with 2/3 classified as unintentional (including motor vehicle crashes) and 1/3 classified as intentional (including suicide and homicide). Injuries are not, as we used to think, "accidents". Injuries are predictable and preventable. It is by understanding and monitoring injuries that interventions can be developed and implemented.

How often does your child use a car safety seat/seat belt when he/she rides in a car?

Almost 90% of those surveyed reported they always wear their seat belts when driving or riding in a car.

The leading cause of death for Americans age 1 to 24 is motor vehicle crashes. Seat belts are the single most effective means for occupants to reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a motor vehicle crash. Our survey shows that Santa Barbara County residents are doing very well on seat belt use compared to the state and the nation with 89% of adults reporting they always use their seat belts. The Healthy People 2000 national objective for seat belt use is 85%. Parents report that their child uses a car safety seat or seat belt 97% of the time when they ride in a car. While we are doing well to be sure children are using car safety seats and seat belts it's also important that they be used appropriately. Data from the California Highway Patrol indicates that approximately 85% of child restraints are inappropriately used and 90% of care seats are installed incorrectly.

Firearm injuries and deaths have been on the rise in the United States. Prevention strategies focusing on reducing or eliminating deaths and injuries due to firearms include reducing the proportion of homes with firearms that are loaded and unlocked. About 1 in 4 respondents in Santa Barbara County reported there is a firearm of any type kept around the home. Among those who report having a firearm, 10% report that it is both loaded and unlocked. This is likely to be an underestimate.

About a quarter of Santa Barbara County residents have firearms around their home with about 10% of these firearms loaded and unlocked.

Summary: Injury Prevention

• Almost 90% of adults and 97% of children report they always use seat belts.

• 76% of children always or almost always wear a safety helmet when riding a bicycle or in-line skating.

• About 2/3 of those surveyed reported they had had their cholesterol checked. This is below the Healthy People 2000 national objective of 75%.

•25% of adults report they have a firearm kept around the home and of those, 10% report that it is loaded and unlocked.