About Us
Since 2000, injuries have been the leading cause of death in Texas for ages 1-44. From 2019-2021, 53 Texans died from injuries and violence each day. Leading injury causes are motor vehicle crashes, drug overdoses, physical violence, and falls. Injuries can cause long-term physical and mental health problems. The Injury Prevention Unit works to understand how injuries impact Texans. The injury and violence data we provide may help you reduce injuries in your communities.
The Injury Prevention Unit houses the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Registries (EMSTR), the Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) program, the Safe Riders Passenger Safety Program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Texas Violent Death Reporting System (TVDRS), and our newest program, the CDC Texas Overdose Data to Action.
Our vision is to use data and public health best practices to inform injury prevention activities and programs.
May is National Bike Safety Month
Learning to ride a bike is a developmental milestone in the life of a child. Yet all too often children are seriously injured, or even killed, when they fail to follow basic bicycle safety rules. Read “Bicycle Safety for Children: Myths & Facts” at HealthyChildren.org to learn about common bicycle safety myths, coupled with the correct information you need to teach your children about safe bike riding.
Additional bike safety resources can be found at Prevent Child Injury.
EMS & Trauma Registries (EMSTR)
Every year, the EMSTR program collects over 4 million records from EMS agencies, trauma facilities, justices of the peace, medical examiners, and rehabilitation facilities on spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other traumatic injuries specified in Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 103.
Safe Riders Child Passenger Safety Program
The Safe Riders Child Passenger Safety program partners with community distribution programs to provide education and child safety seats. We provide National Child Passenger Safety Certification courses with the ultimate goal of safe car rides for all Texas children.
Texas Child Fatality Review
The Child Fatality Review Team (CFRT) program tries to decrease preventable child fatalities by supporting child fatality investigations; promoting coordination with agencies involved in child fatality responses; understanding child fatality causes and incidences; recommending changes that will reduce preventable child fatalities; and suggesting changes to law, policy, or practice that will impact child safety.
Texas Violent Death Reporting System (TVDRS)
The TVDRS program collects data from medical examiners, justices of the peace, and law enforcement reports into one database. We link the “who”, “when”, “where”, and “how” to provide insights about “why” violent deaths occurred. TVDRS will capture statewide data by 2027.
Texas Overdose Data to Action (TODA)
The TODA program focuses on the changing nature of the drug overdose epidemic. We want to highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to reduce drug overdoses, deaths, and related harms.
Open Records Requests
Texas Government Code Chapter 552 relates to public information requests and disclosures. If you want to submit an Open Records Request, please send your request to one of the following designated Public Information Act portals:
- OpenRecords@dshs.texas.gov;
- Fax: 512-776-7720;
- Mail:
- DSHS Public Information Coordinator
- MC-1919
- 1100 West 49th Street
- Austin, TX 78756-3101
- Hand delivery – accepted at all Department of State Health Services office locations during business hours.
The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites. These links are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.