Welcome to the Indian Health Service (IHS) Injury Prevention Program website!

Injuries are the leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives from ages 1-44 years, and the third leading cause of death overall. Unintentional injury mortality rates for Indian people are approximately three times higher than the combined all-U.S. races rate (IHS, Trends in Indian Health 2000-2001). However, this disparity varies by IHS regional Area and by cause of injury (CDC, Atlas of Injury Mortality Among American Indian and Alaska Native Children and Youth, 2005).

Our mission is to raise the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest possible level by decreasing the incidence of severe injuries and death to the lowest possible level and increasing the ability of tribes to address their injury problems.

The IHS has established a widely-recognized injury prevention program that works with tribes and other partners to reduce the disproportionate impact of injuries on Indian people. We facilitate capacity building of tribes and communities by increasing understanding about the injury problem, sharing effective strategies, and assisting communities in implementing prevention programs. We welcome you to explore our program's services and hope it will serve as a resource in your inquiries about injuries among American Indians and Alaskan Natives.