COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) unveiled a new interactive tool on Monday in recognition of National Injury Prevention Day.

According to the CDC, the leading cause of death and hospitalization for people ages 1 to 44 are violence and unintentional injury.

The ‘Injury Data Dashboard’ will inform and provide access to valuable injury-related prevention resources.

 “The dashboard will allow partners to have injury data at their fingertips for writing grant applications, identifying high injury burden areas and directing resources where they are needed most,” said Emma Kennedy, Director of DPH’s Injury and Substance Use Prevention Section, which developed the dashboard.

The dashboard focuses on several different kinds of injuries: Motor Vehicle Traffic, Homicide/Assault, Overall Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Drowning, Suicide/Self-Harm, Firearm and Unintentional Falls.

Organizers say National Injury Prevention Day is designed to raise awareness about the burden of injury and the need for change. It is dedicated to educating and empowering communities that support preventing injury and violence.

“We can all work together to prevent injuries through simple actions like buckling our seatbelts, assessing our surroundings for any obstacles, and locking up or disposing of unused medications,” said Heather Kirlough, DPH’s Core State Injury Prevention Plan Coordinator. “South Carolina should be a safe and healthy place for all our community members, and DPH is dedicated to providing statewide services and support.”