June is Safety Month
Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages — and they are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44. The good news is everyone can get involved to help prevent injuries.
This June, Riverside Surgical Associates encourages you to learn more about important safety issues like prescription painkiller abuse, transportation safety, and slips, trips, and falls.
- Prescription painkiller abuse: Prescription painkiller overdoses are a growing problem in the United States, especially among women. About 18 women die every day from a prescription painkiller overdose — more than 4 times as many as back in 1999. Because of statistics like these, Massachusetts and other states have passed laws limiting the amount of painkillers that a physician can prescribe to his or her patient.
- Transportation safety: Doing other activities while driving — like texting or eating — distracts you and increases your chance of crashing. Almost 1 in 5 crashes (17%) that injured someone involved distracted driving.
- Slips, trips, and falls: One in 3 older adults falls each year. Many falls lead to broken bones and other health problems.
If you have any questions or concerns about your personal safety, please give us a call, send us a message through the portal, or talk to us during your next office visit.
Stay safe and have a happy summer!