Section 1: Injury
Background
Injuries are the leading causes of death among children, adolescents and young adults. As shown in the accompanying graph, 97% of the deaths among young people in Alaska (ages 15 - 19 years) are attributable to injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide and other unintentional injuries. Furthermore, Alaskans of all ages have one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. (Alaska: 19.5/100,000; U.S.:11.2/100,000)1.
by Percent (N = 194)
Alaska 1995 Mortality Data
Safety Behaviors Regarding Vehicles and Bicycles
Among high school students, about 20% rarely or never use seatbelts. Among those who ride motorcycles, about 40% rarely or never wear helmets; among those who ride bicycles, 88.4% do not wear helmets. Within the 30 days prior to the survey, 31.9% rode with an automobile driver who had been drinking alcohol and 12.3% drove a vehicle when drinking alcohol.
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a) When riding in a vehicle driven by someone else.
b) Among students who rode motorcycles in the 12 months preceding the survey.
c) Among students who rode bicycles in the 12 months preceding the survey.
d) One or more times during the 30 days preceding the survey.
e) One or more times during the 30 days preceding the survey.
Carried a Weapon
Over one-third of high school boys report having carried a weapon, such as a gun, knife, or club within the past 30 days. About 10% of girls reported carrying a weapon.
Carried a Weapon on School Property
Among Alaska high school students, 18.8% of boys and 4.8% of girls report having carried a weapon, such as a gun, knife or club, on school property in the previous 30 days.
Threatened or Injured by a Weapon on School Property
Among Alaska high school students, 11.8% of boys and 6.5% of girls report having been threatened or injured with a weapon such as a gun, knife or club on school property within the past 12 months. The Alaska data are similar to the U.S. data.
Personal Property Stolen/Deliberately Damaged on School Property
Approximately one third of Alaska high school students report having had personal property, such as a car, clothing or books, deliberately damaged or stolen on school property within the past 12 months. The Alaska data are similar to the U.S. data.
Physical Fighting in Past Twelve Months
Among Alaska high school boys, 45.0% report having been in a physical fight within the past 12 months and 6.6% report having been injured (requiring treatment by a doctor or nurse) in a physical fight. Girls are less likely to report physical fighting.
Suicide
Girls are more likely to report suicide thoughts, plans and attempts within the past 12 months than are boys. Among Alaska girls, 32.3% have seriously thought about suicide, 24.9% have made a plan and 13.8% report suicide attempts. Among Alaska boys, 16.2% have seriously thought about suicide, 13.1% have made a plan and 5.3% report suicide attempts.
