Health Insights

As this devastating trend continues to affect individuals, families, and communities across the nation, experts at UC Health are intensifying their efforts to combat this public health crisis. With a comprehensive focus on prevention, education, and research, UC Health is paving the way for new initiatives aimed at reducing these preventable causes of injury and death.

UC Health’s Multi-Pronged Approach to Prevention

UC Health is committed to leading efforts in injury and violence prevention through a range of initiatives that involve research, community outreach, and evidence-based practices. These strategies are aimed at raising awareness, improving safety, and changing behaviors to reduce harm.

Trauma and Injury Prevention Programs

UC Health’s Level I Trauma Center, the region’s highest level of trauma care, plays a key role in providing care to patients who suffer from injuries resulting from accidents, violence, and other causes. As part of a broader public health strategy, UC Health is also involved in several programs focused on injury prevention, including:

• Stop the Bleed Program: A life-saving educational initiative designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in the critical minutes following a traumatic injury. By teaching students vital hemorrhage control techniques, this collaboration seeks to equip our youth with the tools to make a real difference in times of crisis.

In 2023, UC Health trained approximately 5100 participants, with ages ranging from 6-years old to participants in their 80s. We have trained many local businesses, adult and youth mentoring groups, boy and girl scouts, non-profits and volunteer programs, police and fire personnel, church groups and parishes and over 35 local middle and high schools.

• Stepping On Program: A free comprehensive fall prevention clinic with health care professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, and physical therapists, here to fulfill all fall prevention needs.

Over the past three years, we have held 6 seven-week classes impacting around 100 older adults in this evidence-based fall prevention program.

• Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP): A grant-funded violence prevention program funded by the City of Cincinnati that provides professionals to help victims of gun violence and their families. This newly launched program will provide resources with links to community-based organizations that provide mental health, housing, employment and food insecurity assistance.

Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies

UC Health’s approach is grounded in the latest research and evidence-based strategies. By partnering with local public health agencies, research institutions, and national organizations, the health system ensures that its efforts align with proven methods of injury and violence prevention:

• Education and Awareness: Awareness campaigns that educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving, substance abuse, and domestic violence are crucial to shifting behaviors that contribute to injury and death.
• Technology and Data Utilization: UC Health uses advanced data analytics to identify high-risk areas for injuries and violence, allowing for targeted interventions. This technology helps determine the most effective prevention strategies based on demographic trends, environmental factors, and social determinants of health.
• Safe Environment Initiatives: Efforts to design and build safer communities through environmental changes—such as better street lighting, safer playgrounds, and improved access to recreational spaces—are central to reducing injuries and promoting well-being.

A Community-Wide Effort

Injury and violence prevention is not a challenge that any one institution can tackle alone. UC Health recognizes that collaboration with community partners—including local governments, like the City of Cincinnati with HVIP, education partners, like Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) with Stop the Bleed, non-profit organizations like the Whitney Strong Foundation, and life-long-learning community members who participate in our many prevention programs—are essential to creating lasting change.