Injury Prevention
Injuries are a leading cause of death in South Dakota. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for South Dakotans ages 1-44 and are the 4th leading cause of death for all South Dakotans (2020). The South Dakota Department of Health strives to address the burden of injury by disseminating information about fatal and non-fatal injuries and promoting prevention efforts for intentional and unintentional injuries.
Injury Prevention Reports
Traumatic Brain Injury Report
From 2011 to 2020, there were 2,051 TBI-related deaths among South Dakota residents. In 2020 there were 236 TBI-related deaths, which was a 42% increase from 166 deaths in 2011, see Figure 1. The rate of TBI-related deaths in the United States was 18.5 per 100,000 in 2019, and the South Dakota rate for the same year was 25.8 per 100,000.
Injuries in South Dakota, 2023
Injury is physical harm or damage to the body that can result in the impairment or destruction of health. Injuries can be the result of intentional or unintentional events such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, firearms, poisoning, drowning, or suffocation. Injuries are a serious public health problem that can have a lifelong impact. Understanding the prevalence of injuries is a key part of protecting South Dakotans from injury so individuals, families, and communities can be safe, healthy, and thriving.
Alcohol-Related Deaths & Hospitalizations South Dakota, 2023
In South Dakota, the number of alcohol-related deaths has been increasing in the last ten years. Alcohol-related deaths increased by 159%, from 156 deaths in 2012 to 404 deaths in 2021. South Dakota had the fifth highest crude rate for alcohol-related deaths at 19.4 per 100,000, while the United States rate was 10.6 per 100,000, from 2011-2020.
Unintentional Falls Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older in South Dakota
From 2011 to 2020, there were 1,494 unintentional fall-related deaths among South Dakotans aged 65 years and older. The number of fall-related deaths increased 53% from 125 deaths in 2011 to 191 deaths in 2020. South Dakota had the fourth highest crude rate (106.8 per 100,000) for unintentional fall-related deaths among individuals aged 65 years and older, the national rate was 59.1 per 100,000.
You Might Also Like
Suicide Prevention
Suicide is a serious public health problem among youth, young adults, and beyond. Access resources on suicide prevention.
Violent Death Reporting System
SD-VDRS collects facts from death certificates, coroner/medical examiner reports, law enforcement reports, and toxicology reports into one anonymous database.
Car Seat & Seat Belt Safety
The SD DOH wants to prevent needless deaths due to improper seat belt and car seat use. Activity kits for practicing life saving have been developed.
Avoid Opioid Prescription Addiction
Avoid Opioid SD: South Dakota's initiative combating opioid abuse and misuse, jointly led by the Department of Health and Department of Social Services.