Winnebago Injury Prevention Project - Unintentional injuries remain a major public health concern for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, contributing significantly to preventable morbidity and mortality among both elders and children. The Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System (WCHS) is applying for the Part 1 component of the TIPCAP funding opportunity to address these issues through a culturally grounded, community-based approach that combines traditional Winnebago values with evidence-based injury prevention strategies for senior fall prevention, for child passenger safety, and to identify/address emerging issues. The Fall Prevention component focuses on reducing the risk of falls among tribal elders through home safety assessments and environmental changes such as improved lighting and hazard removal, balance screening/classes, and vision and medication reviews. By collaborating with Tribal elders, the community as a whole, Twelve Clans Unity Hospital, and the WCHS Senior Center, and supported by Tribal health professionals, we expect to reduce falls for seniors and improve health outcomes. The Child Passenger Safety component seeks to decrease motor vehicle–related injuries among Winnebago children by improving access to and proper use of child restraints. By increasing certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) from the community to lead car seat check events, distribute car seats, and provide hands-on education for caregivers, car seat use will increase and motor vehicle injuries should decrease. The Emerging Issues component incorporates community priorities and changing needs that can potentially lead to safer and healthier communities. Community feedback and cultural guidance ensure the program remains responsive and respectful to local traditions. This initiative strengthens community health capacity and establishes a sustainable model for culturally important injury prevention. The purpose of this injury prevention program is to lower the rate of unintentional injuries, focusing on high-risk areas of elder falls and child car passenger safety; to build local capacity and strengthen the ability of tribal programs and public health workforce to develop and implement their own injury prevention initiatives; to increase awareness about injury risks and the importance and the benefits of preventative measures; to promote evidence-based practices and implement programs and interventions that are supported by scientific evidence, such as Tai Chi for balance in elders or enforcing proper child seat usage; and, finally, to improve Tribal data sovereignty that will enhance the collection and use of unintentional injury data to better understand the scope of the problem and track progress.
