People can get hurt either accidentally (through injuries) or on purpose (through violence). Combined, these two types of injuries are the 3rd leading cause of death in Pinellas County, just behind heart disease and cancer.

The leading causes of injuries in Pinellas County are Falls (56%), Poisonings (18%), Suicides (9%), and Motor Vehicle Crashes (9%). Pinellas County leads the state in deaths from poisoning and ranks fourth in the state for drowning deaths in children five years old and under. In Pinellas County, suicide is the 8th leading cause of death and homicide ranks 14th.

Pinellas County's older population (65 and over) makes up 76% of those injured by falls and 86% of those who die from falling. Forty-eight percent of the poisoning injuries are intentional (i.e. suicide attempts), which account for 93% of all suicide attempts in the county. Fifty-six percent of all homicides are by a firearm, as are 41% of the suicides.

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County monitors these statistics and is involved with several community organizations that work on Injury and Violence prevention.

Domestic and Dating Violence 

All health department employees are trained to ask about domestic and dating violence, and how to effectively help victims and perpetrators.

Florida Coalition Against Sexual Violence

Fall Prevention for Seniors 

The Pasco - Pinellas Fall Prevention Coalition works to raise community awareness about preventing falls among the county’s residents and visitors over 65 years old.

Drowning Prevention 

Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children ages 1-4. The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County participates in the Safe Kids Water Safety committee to help parents understand the best ways to keep their children safe around water. The health department works to increase awareness of the “Layers of Protection”, which prevent children from accessing swimming pools and spas when parental/caregiver supervision is interrupted for any length of time.

Visit WaterSmartFL.com for more information about the layers of protection around your pool.

Prevention Research 

The injury Prevention Liaison can obtain data for local agencies and residents on various injuries, upon request.

"We try non-violence for a week and when it doesn't work, we return to violence - which hasn't worked in hundreds of years."

Theodore Rosak