Injury Prevention

Firearms have been a leading cause of injury deaths in New Mexico, claiming about 300 lives per year among the state’s residents. In 2010, firearm injury deaths accounted for approximately 17% of all New Mexico injury deaths. A majority of the firearm deaths were suicides (65%), followed by homicides 30%. Firearm deaths of unintentional, undetermined, and other intent accounted for 5% of firearm deaths.

New Mexico began tracking safety belt use in 1982. Since 1993, the Traffic Safety Bureau of the New Mexico Department of Transportation Department has contracted with the New Mexico Department of Health, Epidemiology and Response Division, Office of Injury Prevention, to conduct observational studies of motor vehicle seatbelt use using protocols and procedures approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 1998.