The public health approach to injury prevention is multi-disciplinary with respect to issues and solutions. Coalitions and partnerships draw together a vital combination of disciplines and expertise and are, therefore, a powerful strategy in injury prevention.
In Hawai‘i, the injury prevention movement is supported by a network of coalitions and collaborative partnerships that span all sectors for specific injury areas. Key players include government and regulatory agencies, educational institutions, private business, and community organizations. The network is so extensive that it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of all those involved. There are four primary partners of the Injury Prevention and Control Program (IPCP), however, which are described here.
Injury Prevention Advisory Committee (IPAC)
Mission: To build and sustain a sound focal point and base for injury prevention activities in the state and to guide and monitor the development of state and community-based injury and violence prevention initiatives in Hawai‘i.
IPAC evolved from the task force appointed in 1984 to determine how Hawai‘i could achieve its 1990 health objectives in injury control. It recommended that Hawai‘i establish a state focal point for injury prevention, leading to the establishment of the IPCP. IPAC continues its relationship with the IPCP today in an advisory capacity.
KIPC/SAFE KIDS Hawai‘i
Mission: To prevent and reduce injuries to children in Hawai‘i.
The IPCP serves as the lead agency for the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition (KIPC). Established in 1991 (and incorporated in 1995), KIPC is a statewide community-based organization comprised of broad representation from more than 130 organizations, agencies, and individuals committed to preventing injuries in children and youth in Hawai‘i. KIPC/SAFE KIDS Hawai‘i is the Hawai‘i Chapter of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. Many IPCP projects that focus on injury prevention for children and youth are supported through this coalition.
For more information on KIPC, please visit http://www.kipchawaii.org.
Prevent Violence Hawai‘i
Mission: To build working partnerships with individuals, groups, businesses, and public and private sector agencies for the common goal of preventing or reducing the incidence of violence in Hawai‘i through primary prevention strategies that create awareness, develop resources, share information, and ultimately promote peaceful relationships.
Prevent Violence Hawai‘i was formed in January 2003 through a merger of The Violence Prevention Consortium (VPC) and The Awareness Foundation, Inc. (TAFI). Key initiatives include (1) creating public awareness of existing levels of violence in our state, the existence of preventive measures currently in place, and how these risk and protective factors impact our community; 2) developing and implementing a unified approach amongst all interested and involved parties that focuses on the long-term prevention of all forms of violence in Hawai‘i; and 3) advocating for the development of public policies and programs that promote violence prevention and the building of peaceful relationships.
For more information on Prevent Violence Hawai‘i, please visit http://www.preventviolencehawaii.org.
ThinkFirst Hawai‘i (TFH)
Mission: To prevent brain, spinal cord, and other traumatic injuries to Hawai‘i families through education and prevention efforts.
ThinkFirst Hawai‘i (TFH) is the local chapter of the national consortium. Although TFH is housed at The Queen’s Medical Center, its members are from various organizations that share the same mission. The IPCP is one of the lead partners for TFH.
To accomplish the mission of TFH, members are involved in the following areas:
Legislation: to improve or change current policies or laws to support best practices for prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries
Community Events and Special Speaking Engagements: to raise awareness and spread injury prevention messages
School Curriculum: (1) for children grades 1 through 3, to teach safety habits to prevent brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries and (2) for teens, to reinforce safety habits to prevent traumatic injuries
Voices of Injury Prevention: are survivors of traumatic injuries who share their personal experiences to reach audiences in a meaningful way in order to influence positive behavior change.
Media/Publicity: to increase injury prevention awareness, where products include brochures, television public service announcements (PSAs), and theater ads
For more information on ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation, please visit http://www.thinkfirst.org/home.asp.
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