Many injuries occur while at home or during personal activities.  Two of elevated concern in Alaska are those resulting from falls, because of their frequency, and traumatic brain injuries, because of their potential for life-long effects.

Fall injury prevention is a data-driven priority.  From 1991 to 2009:

Falls  occur during many different kind of activities: climbing ladders and stairs, slipping or tripping while walking or running, getting up from a bed or chair, or being ht by something.  But there are many underlying causes as well, which complicate prevention.  An individual's medical and physical condition can affect their risk for falls: they may be on medications that make them light-headed or interact with each other, they may have weakened legs that don't support them as expected, they may have poor eyesight that causes them to mis-judge a step, especially in poorly-lit areas.

Falls hospitalizations not only take time for recovery from the physical injury, but can cause behavioral changes as well.  People who experience falls injuries may be less likely to participate in routine activities or exercise.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

Injury Prevention programs are working to reduce falls, providing surveillance, ice cleats, grab bars, hazard checklists and identifying related services in the community such as medication consults, eye exams, and home repair. The multiple types of interventions required to reduce fall injuries demand numerous resources and supplies to maintain and/or coordinate them.

ANTHC has developed forms to assist people and caregivers to reduce the risks for falls, to make homes as safe as possible, and to help patients and their doctors keep track of the medications the patient is taking: 

• Tips to Prevent Falls to Elders: a booklet developed in coordination with the Alaska Native Medical Center Physical Therapy Department (print 2-sided, fold and staple across center to create booklet)
• Home Safety Survey: a checklist derived from the Community Health Aid Manual
• Pocket Medication List: a pocket-size list to be kept in a purse or wallet developed in collaboration with regional IP offices and the Alaska Native Medical Center (print 2-sided tablet style, cut down center length of page)
• Current Medication List: a list to be posted in a visible location in the home, such as the refrigerator, for reference for medical staff assisting someone at home

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur when someone experiences a bum, blow, or penetrating injury to the head.  In Alaska, these account for about 14% of all injuries that cause people to be admitted to the hospital, over 600 per year state-wide.  These injuries can have lasting effects on peoples lives: they may affect a persons senses of smell and touch, how they react emotionally to a situation, their balance and physical abilities, and how well they understand or remember information.

The most common activities/actions at the time of injury for TBI patients are:

• falling
• riding on/in a moving vehicle (from bicycles to ATVs to automobiles)
• walking and being impacted by a motor vehicle
• participating in a sporting event
• being hit by an object

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT THEM?

There are several simple precautions that could greatly reduce the number and severity of TBI injuries:

• Wear a seatbelts while riding in a car or truck
• Make sure infants or toddlers are securely strapped into an appropriate car seat
• Wear a helmet whenever you ride a bicycle, ATV, motorcycle, or snowmachine
• Don't operate any kind of transportation vehicle if you have been drinking
• Wear reflective materials while walking outside near motor-vehicle traffic
• follow the precautions to reduce your chances of falling

REGIONAL INFORMATION

ANTHC collaborated with the Alaska Brain Injury Network to look at the TBI's that were occurring around the state.  Information on TBI occurring in each region was included on two-page flyers for dissemination in each region.  These flyers can be downloaded below:

Arctic Slope                   Northwest Arctic             Norton Sound

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta    Bristol Bay                     Aleutian, Pribilof, and Kodiak Islands

Interior                          Kenai Peninsula              Anchorage and the MatSu Valley

Copper River                   Southeast Alaska            All Alaska