Governor Proclaims Colorado Trauma Awareness Month
May 5, 2008 - DENVER - Governor Bill Ritter has
proclaimed May as Colorado Trauma Awareness Month, a time to
recognize the contributions of the state’s many emergency
medical service providers and to elevate public awareness of
ways to improve public health by reducing the impact of
trauma in Colorado.
“Providing rapid, accessible and appropriate trauma care to
the people of this state is a public health priority,” said
Jim Martin, executive director of the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment, which administers the state’s
Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Program. “The
Department of Public Health and Environment continually
works to improve Colorado’s full range of emergency medical
services and to ensure that our high-quality of emergency
medical services continue to be provided throughout urban,
suburban and rural Colorado,” he said.
Martin said throughout May, many of Colorado’s local
emergency service providers will intensify their efforts to
inform their communities about how to handle various
emergencies and reduce injuries. About 32,000 Coloradans are
admitted to the hospital annually due to injury. “It is
important to bring attention to Trauma Awareness Month, and
it is fitting that we show gratitude to the men and women
who provide life-saving emergency medical services, many of
whom are volunteers, not just in the month of May, but year
round,” he said.
National and state statistics underscore the need for
preventive public awareness in Colorado. Nearly two-thirds
of deaths among Coloradans ages 34 and younger are due to
injury, according to the governor’s proclamation, and
unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and
disability for Americans ages 45 and younger. Motor vehicle
crashes are the state’s leading cause of unintentional
deaths. Colorado Trauma Awareness Month coincides with the
national recognition that Congress has proclaimed annually
since 1988.
For more information about Colorado’s Emergency Medical and
Trauma Services Program, visit
www.cotrauma.info.
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