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Unintentional injuries are the 5th leading cause of death in Pinellas County, and homicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for residents age 10-24 years old. One in four women and one in seven men are victims of violence at the hands of their partner at least once in their lifetimes, and at least one-fourth of all homicides in Pinellas County are domestic-related. Death is just the tip of the iceberg with injuries. Injuries and violence are also in the top 10 reasons for hospitalizations for all age groups in Pinellas County.
The goal of the Pinellas County Health Department's Injury and Violence Prevention Program is to prevent and reduce the impact of injuries, both intentional and unintentional, on the residents and visitors of Pinellas County. Intentional injuries refer to violence in the home, at work, and in the community, caused by family members, coworkers, friends, self, and strangers. These include domestic violence, rape, assault, suicide, and murder. Unintentional injuries refer to those that no one meant to cause, such as motor vehicle crashes, burns, falls, drowning, poisoning, choking, and sports injuries.
 Contact Information:
| Program Manager: |
Wendy Loomas |
| Injury and Violence Prevention Office: |
205 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727-824-6979 (Phone)
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Domestic Violence:
The Program Manager is responsible for training all health department employees to effectively screen clients for domestic violence, and appropriately refer those in need of services. Health department offices now have a variety of materials available to clients and staff in multiple locations to increase the likelihood that a victim can access what she/he needs. The Program Manager also participates in the county's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and Domestic Violence Task Force. Outreach to area hospitals, nursing homes, and large OB/Gyn and Pediatric practices is conducted to offer training and information on Best Practices in screening patients for domestic violence.
Help for Children Exposed to Violence:
As a partner in the Safe Start Partnership Center, this program is involved in staff training, coordination of services, and community awareness designed to help the community respond better to children birth to 6 years old who are exposed to violence, and their families. This county was selected as one of only 11 counties in the nation to develop this system as a demonstration project. Services and training sessions are available countywide, and are free of charge.
Fall Prevention:
Falls are the number one reason for 911 calls and the injury that causes the most deaths and hospitalizations in Pinellas County. The Program Manager represents the agency on the Fall Prevention Coalition, which seeks to raise community awareness about preventing falls among the county’s elder population. Activities include a website dedicated to fall prevention information, a Home Safety Checklist to assist seniors in making their homes safer, and a speaker’s bureau that can send presenters to various locations where audiences can learn more about preventing injuries from falling.
Drowning Prevention:
Pinellas County ranks 6th in the State of Florida for drowning deaths of very young children. This program participates in a water safety campaign each Spring, in anticipation of the summer months when drowning is most common. Printed materials, video tapes, and public service announcements are available to the public at no charge, and presenters can attend community meetings and gatherings to help parents understand the best ways to keep their children safe around water.
Prevention Research:
The Program Manager can obtain data for local agencies and residents on various injuries, upon request.
Referrals:
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"We try non-violence for a week and when it doesn't work, we return to violence -
which hasn't worked in hundreds of years."
Theodore Rosak
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St. Petersburg, FL 33701 
