Dr. Maurice was interested in collecting data from a less urban area, and people at the health unit attached to the Rimouski hospital were eager to participate. People who were already working on injury prevention projects and research, in areas such as road safety, gun control and violence, had ready access to the data and many opportunities to use them. The calibre of injury research and intervention expertise at the Quebec Public Health Centre has been recently recognized internationally. The final report profiles these injury records, with special sections on injuries related to the 17 sports for which there are the most records. The report for each sport includes tables showing the breakdown of injuries by month, time of day, age, sex, nature of injury and body part injured, and treatment.
Additional charts show the circumstances of the injuries, depending on the sport.
At the health unit they have access to other databases, computer support and expertise, research and library materials, as well as the opportunity to work with other people involved in injury prevention. This situation explains why staff have made so much use of the data they collect. The recent sports injury report is an impressive example of what can be accomplished on the local level when resources, time and talent are available. Our mission is to help the people of Canada maintain and improve their health.