Accidental injuries claim the lives of 3.16 million individuals (about the population of Arkansas) globally each year, (World Health Organization), making them the primary cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in the prime years of life. The predominant contributors to preventable injury-related fatalities— falls, poisoning, and motor vehicle incidents—comprise more than 86% of all preventable deaths, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control.
The goal of Brigham and Women's Hospital's Injury Prevention and Outreach Program extends beyond awareness. The program offers evidence-based initiatives, educational efforts, and valuable resources designed to actively prevent injuries. These programs are available to the community through both in-person and virtual platforms.
Continuous research plays a crucial role in enhancing awareness and providing essential information for advocacy. Our advocacy endeavors strive to efficiently reduce the risk of future incidents and enhance the health and safety of our communities.
An essential element of our injury prevention work is education and outreach to the community. We offer the following programs and initiatives to serve Greater Boston-area communities, all free of charge.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), falls are the leading cause of injury for individuals ages 65 years and older. Annually, over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults, report experiencing a fall. One in five falls results in severe injuries such as broken bones or head trauma.
The Injury Prevention and Outreach Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital offers the following initiatives:
Tai Chi for Fall Prevention: an evidence-based program shown to improve balance, flexibility, and strength.
Bingocize: a fun, multi-component program that combines Bingo with health information and exercises.
Discussion Series: presentations on various topics that affect falls including Diabetes, Hypertension, and Pharmacology among others.
Care Collaboration: a virtual, community-based fall prevention program for senior citizens presented in partnership with the Tufts Medical Center Trauma program.
Programs are offered both in-person and virtually.
For information about a fall prevention program, please email us.
Tai Chi for Falls Prevention
An evidence-based program appropriate for all adults especially those with mobility issues. This program has been shown to improve balance and mobility, improve strength and flexibility, and decrease pain and falls. The workshop is led by a certified Tai Chi instructor.
Level 1 (Beginner) - Virtual Workshop
Fridays: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
January 10 - April 25, 2025
Click here to register
Level 1 (Beginner) - In-Person Workshop
Boston Public Library West End Branch
Tuesdays: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
January 7 - April 29, 2025
Level 2 - In-Person Workshop
Requirement: Completion of Beginner Level
Boston Public Library West End Branch
Tuesdays: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
January 7 - April 29, 2025
Individuals involved in serious accidents or disasters may experience life-threatening bleeding. Severe bleeding has the potential to result in death within as little as 5 minutes. A trained bystander present near individuals with bleeding injuries may be the person to save them from bleeding to death.
Stop the Bleed and FAST train bystanders how to respond to a bleeding crisis while waiting for emergency medical response to arrive.
Learn how to stop the bleed:
For information about a program, please email us.
Uncontrolled bleeding is a leading cause of preventable deaths, with a person able to bleed out in just 3–5 minutes. In such situations, a trained bystander is often the first person capable of providing help.
Stop the Bleed is a program developed to train and empower bystanders to help in a bleeding emergency before the professionals arrive.
For more information, please email us
As rates continue to go up in the United States, suicide has become a serious public health issue. In 2020, a suicide happened, on average, every 11 minutes (CDC).
Some warning signs for suicide include:
QPR is an evidence-based program that teaches participants how to Question someone who is suicidal; Persuade them to get help; and Refer them to the appropriate resources. In collaboration with the Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation, the Injury Prevention Program offers this free, suicide prevention gatekeeper training to the community.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Brookside Community Health Center
Family Services/Behavioral Health
617-983-6047
Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center
Behavioral Health Department
(617) 983-4219
For information about a program, please email us.
Email: mtumang@bwh.harvard.edu
Phone: 617-525-7802
For over a century, a leader in patient care, medical education and research, with expertise in virtually every specialty of medicine and surgery.
About BWH
