"This report reveals that injury poses one of the greatest burdens on Ontario's health care system," said Dr. Robert Conn, President and CEO of SMARTRISK. "But this story is about more than just economics. It is also about individuals who are seriously hurt, disabled and killed. There is an incredible human toll associated with preventable injury." Injury is the leading cause of death for people aged one to 44 years. The majority of these deaths are preventable.

The report's key findings indicate:

• There were more than 4,000 deaths and 570,000 injuries. In other words, every hour of every day, 65 people in Ontario are injured and roughly 11 people die from their injuries each day.
  
  
• The total costs of intentional and unintentional injuries in Ontario amounted to more than $5.7 billion annually. These include direct costs such as health care and indirect costs including lost
  productivity.
  
  
• Falls were the most costly unintentional injury, totalling more than $1.9 billion. Motor vehicle collisions were the second most costly, at more than $1.1 billion.
  
  
• Of the total cost of intentional injuries, suicide and self-inflicted injury accounted for nearly $886 million, while interpersonal violence represented $230 million.
  
  
• Alcohol-related injuries had a total cost of $440 million for the four leading causes of injury.
  
  
• Injuries resulting from physical activity cost $655 million.
  
  
• The rates and economic burden of injury vary widely across Ontario.

For example, residents of northwestern Ontario experience the highest death, hospitalization and injury rates, along with the highest per capita injury costs. The lowest death rates and per capita injury
costs were found in the Mississaugua-Halton area.

The report proposes launching a comprehensive provincial injury prevention strategy to help reduce Ontario's injury burden. "An investment in injury prevention is truly an investment in the health of Ontarians," Dr. Conn said.

SMARTRISK is a national, charitable organization, dedicated to preventing injury with smart thinking. Support for this project was provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion.