IPC Approach
Unintentional and intentional injuries continue to be the leading cause of death for individuals 1-44 years of age in the United States. Injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, violence, falls and burns are the most physically, emotionally and financially burdensome to Dallas County residents. The Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas has adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Communities model as an approach for working in communities to engage residents in injury prevention. Utilizing the Safe Communities model as an injury prevention best practice, the IPC promotes data driven injury prevention initiatives within Dallas County by collaborating and mobilizing residents to take an active part in identifying program planning, implementation and evaluation. The success of programs is attributable to the fact that residents determine what is needed in their community and assist with the solution. In 1996, the IPC assisted Dallas in becoming the first WHO endorsed Safe Community in the United States and Dallas was recertified by the WHO in 2007.
Safe Communities Recertification
In 1996, the IPC assisted Dallas in becoming the first World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed Safe Community in the United States. Dallas was recertified by the WHO in 2007. The Manifesto for Safe Communities states that "All human beings have an equal right to health and safety." This is a fundamental aspect of the WHO’s "Health for All" strategy and for the WHO Global Program on Accident Prevention and Injury Control. The Safe Communities model builds infrastructure in local communities for injury and violence prevention by actively involving the communities in program planning, implementation and evaluation.
To receive designation/recertification, an organization must demonstrate it’s proficiency in each of the following areas: An infrastructure based on partnership and collaborations, governed by a cross-sectional group that is responsible for safety promotion in their community (Steering Committee/Advisory Board);
Long-term, sustainable programs covering both genders and all ages, environments, and situations;
Programs that utilize data to document the frequency and causes of injuries, then implement projects that promote safety among high-risk groups and environments;
Evaluation measures to determine changes in the community; and
Ongoing participation in national and international Safe Communities networks.
The following U.S. communities have received the Safe Communities designation:
Dallas, Texas– 1996
Anchorage, Alaska– 1998
Springfield, Missouri– 2007
Omaha, Nebraska– 2007
Itasca, Illinois– 2009
Madison/Dade County, Wisconsin-2009
Shawnee, Oklahoma -2010
Lycoming County, Pennsylvania -2010
Madison County, Kentucky -2010
New Lenox, Illinois -2010
Coalitions and Preventive Interventions
Under the umbrella of the Safe Communities model, the IPC maintains nine coalitions with more than 135 collaborating agencies and individuals working to eliminate child abuse, family violence, domestic violence, as well as death and injury due to motor vehicle crashes, falls, and fires. The Center has an excellent reputation for maintaining collaborative efforts, particularly as it relates to violence prevention and traffic safety. The IPC implements community-based preventive interventions in the areas of child passenger safety, pedestrian injury prevention, child abuse prevention, teen driver safety, fire prevention, and senior falls prevention.