Injury Prevention

In 2006, we conducted further analyses of the Survey of Violence Victimization in New Mexico data. Specifically, the respondents’ beliefs about personal safety for women today, their own personal safety and which respondents are more likely to carry something to defend themselves were examined. These variables were analyzed by the respondents’ education level, race/ethnicity, and whether or not they have ever been a victim of violence.

Among the many revealing findings, we learned that 1 in 4 adult women and 1 in 20 adult men in New Mexico have been the victims of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Perhaps the most startling revelation was the prevalence of incapacitated rape. Among rape victims, 43% experienced an incapacitated rape in their lifetime. This translates into 1 in every 12 adult females and 1 in every 40 adult males.

Injury hurts New Mexico. Injuries affect all ages, races, and nationalities. They affect men and women, the healthy and the sick. They affect the survivors whose lives are changed forever and the loved ones left behind by a fatal injury. In 2004, injuries cost New Mexicans about $4 billion, and New Mexico ranked first nationally in unintentional injury deaths and was tied for second with Nevada for intentional injury deaths.

This report presents the results of the assessment under year one of the CDC planning grant. It provides information from youth surveys and other data sources to establish a “snapshot” of current trends in New Mexico. This assessment includes analysis of risk and resiliency/protective factors among New Mexico youth.