Nova Scotia's Renewed Injury Prevention Strategy - Government of ...

Shared Responsibility for SuccessSuccess in creating a healthier and safer Nova Scotiarequires a high level of collaboration amongindividuals, families, communities, non-governmentalorganizations, and all levels of government. It mustalso involve sectors and stakeholders outside thetraditional boundaries of injury prevention.What does the evidence say?• Chronic disease and disability increase therisk of fall-related injuries among seniors andmay diminish one’s ability to drive safely. 23• Cigarette smoking is an important risk factorfor house fires and can contribute to thedevelopment of osteoporosis, a risk factor forfalls. 24• Stress contributes to the development of bothchronic disease and the risk of injuries. 25• Binge drinking increases the risk of injuriesand violence. Similarly, these behaviours areassociated with chronic health problems suchas liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, anddepression. 26• Globally, about 20% of injury cases reportingto emergency departments are associatedwith alcohol involvement. 27Below are examples of opportunities that exist forengaging and collaborating with those who may notsee themselves as injury prevention stakeholders, yetwho have a role to play in injury prevention:• People and organizations working in the field ofchronic disease prevention have opportunitiesto also assist injury prevention. Policies designedto improve the environments and behaviours thatinfluence poor health and chronic disease can alsoreduce the risk of injury.• People who work to improve mental health orsupport those with mental illness contribute inmany ways to a reduction in injury risk. Improvingmental health and strengthening individual andcommunity resilience plays a critical role inreducing suicide, violence, and the likelihood thatindividuals will engage in risky behaviours.• Efforts to alleviate health disparities not onlylower the risk of poor health; they also canimprove safety and reduce the risk of injury.• Creating environments that encourage andsupport physical activity also has the potentialto make activities safer for all.• Policies that support safe, alternative, andsustainable transportation can reduce exposureto road traffic injury risks.• Harmful use of alcohol and/or drugs is a majorcontributor to injury. Strategies designed to reducesubstance abuse will also generate reductionsin injury rates.Even those who do not see themselves as having aprimary responsibility in injury prevention have a roleto play in this renewed strategy, which inviteseveryone to participate and provides an integratedframework as a common point of reference. Successdepends on the involvement of all stakeholders whohave either the mandate or ability to positivelyinfluence injury prevention.Taking It to the Next Level Nova Scotia’s Renewed Injury Prevention Strategy25