These centers are responsible for the relevant and innovative methods for injury surveillance and prevention that can then be used by state and local government agencies. According to Donald W. Marion, M.D., associate professor in the department of neurological surgery at the UPMC and Center director, there is an urgent need for improvement in injury prevention, and better methods for surveillance of injury at a local, regional, and national level. Incidence of intentional and fatal violence among young African-American men is approximately 2.5 times higher than it was 10 years ago. In Pennsylvania, there are an estimated 120 non-fatal head injuries per 100,000 people and seven spinal cord injuries per 100,000 people. Often, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries leave patients with life-long debilitations.
Children suffer from injuries at the highest rates.
In 1995, there were 10,762 cases of child abuse reported to Harrisburg. In addition, the center works to educate health care providers, the general public, and future injury prevention professionals through innovative information dissemination and educational programs. Collaborative projects already exist with the Allegheny County Health Department, the Pittsburgh Public School System, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Trauma Services, The Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program, The Community Empowerment Association of Homewood-Brushton, the local chapter of the Brain Injury Association, and the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation. Additional programs include a study of new medication intended to hasten recovery following a severe traumatic brain injury, a study of a wheelchair seating system used in motor vehicles, and the further development of a new methodology for surveillance of head and spinal cord injuries.