The Washington State Department of Health's (DOH) Injury and Violence Prevention (IVP) Program is founded on a basic principle: injuries and violence are preventable public health priorities.
In public health practice, injury is damage or harm to the body resulting in impairment or destruction of health. Violence is intentional injury — the use of power or force against oneself or another person. Outcomes of injury and violence can be lifelong disability, death, and trauma.
Over the past decade, more than 43,000 Washingtonians died from injury and violence (unintentional, suicide, and homicide). Historically, injury and violence-related deaths have been the leading cause of death for Washington residents ages one to 54 years old (1,469 unintentional, 781 suicide, and 188 homicide in 2019). The state also experienced a shift in injury focus when, in 2010, suicide surpassed deaths related to motor vehicle traffic (MVT) and became the leading cause of deaths in those ages 15–24 years old. IVP uses data to identify prevention priorities and develop interventions based on best practices.
Prevention Guide
You may find detailed information about evidence-based strategies and injury specific data in our Injury and Violence Prevention Guide (PDF).
Reporting Manual
Washington State Cancer Registry Reporting Handbook (PDF)
About the Injury and Violence Prevention Program
IVP oversees and implements a wide range of injury and violence prevention work. Currently, its focus areas include:
- Falls Prevention
- Opioid and Drug Overdose Prevention
- Pedestrian and Motor Vehicle Traffic Safety
- Safe Kids – Child Injury
- Sexual & Domestic Violence Prevention
- Suicide Prevention
- Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention
- Washington State Violent Death Reporting System
IVP coordinates with many partners across Washington state to build capacity to prevent injuries and violence. This joint work includes:
- Identifying and focusing on populations and communities most affected by each type of injury and violence
- Supporting local and community programs that directly address injury and violence prevention
- Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and sharing injury and violence data
- Researching, evaluating, and funding evidence-informed policies and best practices
- Developing public health messaging and supporting trainings for local, regional, state, and community-based prevention programs.
Funding Announcements
There are no current funding announcements.
General Contact Information
Phone: 360-236-2857 | Fax: 360-236-2839
To request injury data email: injury.data@doh.wa.gov.
Fill out this form to request injury data
For general questions email program staff: ivp-pch@doh.wa.gov
Mailing address:
Washington State Department of Health
Injury and Violence Prevention
P.O. Box 47855
Olympia, WA 98504-7855