North Carolina Injury Data Dashboard

On this page:

This interactive tool provides up-to-date data on key injury-related public health issues, including unintentional falls, motor vehicle traffic crashes, unintentional drownings and traumatic brain injuries. Our goal is to help residents and partners across North Carolina better understand the impacts of injuries in our communities. Explore the interactive maps, charts and resources to learn more about injuries and how we can create a safer and healthier North Carolina for all.

Unintentional Falls

Each year, millions of older people in the United States – those 65 and older – fall. In fact, more than one out of four older people fall each year and falling once doubles your chances of falling again, later. Falls among older adults are due in part to changes in muscle density, coordination and cognitive function.

Fall injuries in North Carolina are a serious issue. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for North Carolinians of all ages, and the number one cause of injury death among older adults (65+). Over the past decade, deaths from unintentional falls have increased by 86%.

Severe Falls Among Adults

Approximately one in 10 North Carolina adults ages 45 years and older reported experiencing a fall that caused an injury leading to limited regular activities or seeking medical attention.

10% of surveyed North Carolina adults ages 45 years and older reported experiencing a fall that led to severe injury.

What can I do to reduce my risk of falling?

To ensure older adults are safe from falls, communities can take steps to address changes the body undergoes when it ages. These steps can make older adults strong and healthy to protect their independence and reduce their risk of falling. They can:

  • Exercise regularly; exercise programs that increase strength and improve balance are especially good. Tai chi and dancing are both good for this.
  • Ask their doctor or pharmacist to review their medicines – both prescription and over-the-counter – to reduce side effects and interactions.
  • Have their eyes, ears and feet checked by a doctor at least once a year.
  • Improve the lighting in their home.
  • Reduce hazards like throw rugs in their home that can lead to trips and falls.

For more information about reducing risk of falls, visit Standing Strong North Carolina.

Interactive Unintentional Falls Data 

Unintentional falls data included on this page are updated annually.

See How to Interpret Data below for more.

The visualizations below include additional information that appear when you hover your cursor over data points in the map or graphs. You can also select a county and a metric from the drop-down menus to see different data.

Tab/Accordion Items

Use critical thinking when comparing and interpreting the counts and rates ranks in graphs and maps.

To navigate the dashboard, use the filter buttons at the top to filter by:

  • Location: You may choose to view North Carolina statewide data or select a specific NC county.
  • Rate Duration: You may choose between viewing 1-, 5- or 10-year rates. Depending on your selection of rate duration, you may then choose to view a singular year or range of years' worth of data. 

The dashboard has multiple sections that display different data that will dynamically update depending on which filters you choose. The data shown in the dashboard includes:

  • An interactive heat map that depicts rates on a color gradient ranging from white to blue. The darker shade of blue represents higher rates.
  • Bar graphs that display the rates by different demographic characteristics such as sex, race/ethnicity and age groups.
  • Time series graphs that display the counts and rates over time.

Note: Death counts that are too low will result in rates that are unstable, which should be interpreted with caution. When instances like this occur, a reminder will be displayed and prompt you to try increasing the Rate Duration. There may be instances where increasing the Rate Duration will not address low death counts and the unstable rates.

Motor Vehicle Crashes

Every day, thousands of Americans are involved in motor vehicle crashes on public roadways that result in injury or death. Unintentional Motor Vehicle Traffic (MVT) injuries include those to motor vehicle occupants (drivers and passengers), motorcyclists, pedestrians, pedal cyclists and other people in crashes that occur on roads and streets.

MVT injuries are a leading cause of hospitalization and death in the United States and North Carolina. About 40,000 individuals are killed every year on U.S. roadways. Over the past decade, deaths from motor vehicle crashes have increased by 31%. These crashes are caused by unsafe speeds, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes and distractions. When we address these causes of traffic crashes, we can all steer clear of their impacts on communities.

Adult Seatbelt Use

Most NC adults reported always or nearly always wearing seatbelts while driving or riding in a car. Approximately 4% of NC adults reported sometimes, seldom or never wearing seatbelts while driving or riding in a car.

96% of surveyed North Carolina Adults reported always or nearly always wearing a seatbelt while driving or riding in a car.

Youth Texting and Driving

Approximately 39% of North Carolina high school students reported texting or emailing while driving. 

39% of surveyed North Carolina high school students reported texting or emailing while driving.

Interactive Motor Vehicle Crash Data 

Motor vehicle crash data included on this page are updated annually.

See How to Interpret Data below for more.

The visualizations below include additional information that appear when you hover your cursor over data points in the map or graphs. You can also select a county and a metric from the drop-down menus to see different data.

Tab/Accordion Items

Use critical thinking when comparing and interpreting the counts and rates ranks in graphs and maps.

To navigate the dashboard, use the filter buttons at the top to filter by:

  • Location: You may choose to view North Carolina statewide data or select a specific NC county.
  • MVT Subcategory You may choose to view more specific MVT sub-categories such as motorcyclists, occupants, pedal cyclists, or pedestrians.
  • Rate Duration: You may choose between viewing 1-, 5- or 10-year rates. Depending on your selection of rate duration, you may then choose to view a singular year or range of years' worth of data.

The dashboard has multiple sections that display different data that will dynamically update depending on which filters you choose. The data shown in the dashboard includes:

  • An interactive heat map that depicts rates on a color gradient ranging from white to red. The darker shade of red represents higher rates.
  • Bar graphs that display the rates by different demographic characteristics such as sex, race/ethnicity and age groups.
  • Time series graphs that display the counts and rates over time.

Note: Death counts that are too low will result in rates that are unstable, which should be interpreted with caution. When instances like this occur, a reminder will be displayed and prompt you to try increasing the Rate Duration. There may be instances where increasing the Rate Duration will not address low death counts and the unstable rates.

Unintentional Drownings

Every year in the United States, there are over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths, averaging about 11 drowning deaths per day. Unintentional drowning injuries are higher, with about 8,000 non-fatal drownings every year in the United States – about 22 non-fatal drownings per day.

Children and young adults are often the victims of drowning. In North Carolina, unintentional drownings were a leading cause of death among children under 18 years old. Over the past decade, unintentional drowning deaths increased by approximately 16%. From 2019 through 2023, 125 children under the age of 18 died from an unintentional drowning in North Carolina. During the same period, North Carolina children ages 1-4 had the highest rates of unintentional drowning deaths, ED visits and hospitalizations. We need to protect our youth with collective strategies to stop drownings. Things like home modifications around water, teaching proper swimming skills and treating underlying medical conditions all help stop drowning.

What can I do to prevent water-related injuries?

Closely supervising children in or near water is essential to prevent drowning, yet even the most attentive caregiver can experience a moment of distraction.

You can:

  • Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.
  • Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
  • Learn to swim. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend swimming classes as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than 4.  
  • Install and utilize physical barriers such as pool fencing even when children have completed swimming classes.
  • Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone’s life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.
  • Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings,” “noodles” or inner tubes, in place of life jackets (personal flotation devices). These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

Interactive Unintentional Drowning Data 

Unintentional drowning data included on this page are updated annually.

See How to Interpret Data below for more.

The visualizations below include additional information that appear when you hover your cursor over data points in the map or graphs. You can also select a county and a metric from the drop-down menus to see different data.

Tab/Accordion Items

Use critical thinking when comparing and interpreting the counts and rates ranks in graphs and maps.

To navigate the dashboard, use the filter buttons at the top to filter by:

  • Location: You may choose to view North Carolina statewide data or select a specific NC county.
  • Rate Duration: You may choose between viewing 1-, 5- or 10-year rates. Depending on your selection of rate duration, you may then choose to view a singular year or range of years' worth of data.

The dashboard has multiple sections that display different data that will dynamically update depending on which filters you choose. The data shown in the dashboard includes:

  • An interactive heat map that depicts rates on a color gradient ranging from white to purple. The darker shade of purple represents higher rates.
  • Bar graphs that display the rates by different demographic characteristics such as sex, race/ethnicity and age groups.
  • Time series graphs that display the counts and rates over time.

Note: Death counts that are too low will result in rates that are unstable, which should be interpreted with caution. When instances like this occur, a reminder will be displayed and prompt you to try increasing the Rate Duration. There may be instances where increasing the Rate Duration will not address low death counts and the unstable rates.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain that is caused by an external physical force such as hitting your head or other types of blunt force trauma. The most common causes of TBI include slips and falls, motor vehicle crashes, and struck by or against events. The injury can cause physical and mental challenges.  

The CDC reports that 2% of the population has sustained a TBI. In North Carolina that means about 208,000 individuals are living with a TBI. Over the last 10 years, TBI-related deaths have increased by about 36%. Furthermore, North Carolina older adults (ages 65 and older) are at the most risk of TBI-related deaths and injuries.

Preventing TBIs and their lasting impacts on physical and mental health is a team effort. When we work to stay away from falls in the home, drive safely, practice safe bike use and avoid events that could harm our head, we can all live healthier and more independent lives.

For more information, visit the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.

Interactive Traumatic Brain Injury Data 

Traumatic brain injury data included on this page are updated annually.

See How to Interpret Data below for more.

The visualizations below include additional information that appear when you hover your cursor over data points in the map or graphs. You can also select a county and a metric from the drop-down menus to see different data.

Tab/Accordion Items

Use critical thinking when comparing and interpreting the counts and rates ranks in graphs and maps.

To navigate the dashboard, use the filter buttons at the top to filter by:

  • Location: You may choose to view North Carolina statewide data or select a specific NC county.
  • Rate Duration: You may choose between viewing 1-, 5- or 10-year rates. Depending on your selection of rate duration, you may then choose to view a singular year or range of years' worth of data.

The dashboard has multiple sections that display different data that will dynamically update depending on which filters you choose. The data shown in the dashboard includes:

  • An interactive heat map that depicts rates on a color gradient ranging from white to green. The darker shade of green represents higher rates.
  • Bar graphs that display the rates by different demographic characteristics such as sex, race/ethnicity and age groups.
  • Time series graphs that display the counts and rates over time.

Note: Death counts that are too low will result in rates that are unstable, which should be interpreted with caution. When instances like this occur, a reminder will be displayed and prompt you to try increasing the Rate Duration. There may be instances where increasing the Rate Duration will not address low death counts and the unstable rates.

More Data Resources