State Capacity Building

Integration

Injury is the leading cause of death and disability among MCH populations. It accounts for more deaths among children ages 0-19 than all other causes combined.

Integrating injury and violence prevention (IVP) into Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services is an effective and efficient way to reduce risk, promote safe practices, and further health-related goals. Integration can be a useful strategy to maximize reach, impact and cost savings for prevention programs in state health departments.

MCH programs are uniquely placed to be effective conduits for injury and violence prevention messages as they already focus on the populations at greatest risk of being injured: low-income families, minorities, rural populations, and children with special health care needs.

Successful integration of IVP activities into existing MCH programs ideally entails cost-effective services using trained professionals who understand their clients and whom their clients are apt to trust.