Massachusetts scored decently among states for injury prevention, in a national ranking released Wednesday by the non-profit groups Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The state has the third lowest rate of injury-related deaths, with 41.1 per 100,000 people dying from fatal injuries every year, compared with a national rate of 57.9 per 100,000.
The report included a checklist of 10 research-based injury prevention policies, such as seat belt laws, drunk driving laws, and policies to prevent domestic violence. Massachusetts had 7 out of 10 items checked off. (Only two states, California and New York, had 9 out of 10, and none had all 10.)
Where is Massachusetts doing well? The state has laws mandating helmet use for bikers age 16 and under and all motorcycle riders; it also mandates booster seats for kids up to age 8. The state didn’t get any points, however, for its seat belt laws since policemen aren’t allow to pull drivers over simply for not wearing seat belts. (Such laws are on the books in 32 other states and Washington, D.C.)
Massachusetts also has good policies in play to prevent and manage concussions, monitor prescription painkillers to prevent accidental overdose, and make it easier to get a restraining order against a violent domestic partner. The state could still take more steps, however, to prevent teen relationship violence.
Deborah Kotz can be reached at dkotz@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @debkotz2.