Report: Mass. Has 3rd-Lowest Rate Of Injury Deaths

A new study finds that Massachusetts has the third-lowest rate of injury-related deaths in the United States.

Massachusetts has 41.1 injury-related deaths per 100,000 people, according to the report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. That's below the national average of 57.9 injury-related deaths per 100,000 people.

Only New Jersey (36.1 per 100,000) and New York (37.1 per 100,000) have lower rates of injury-related deaths.

Injuries, the study states, "are the third leading cause of death nationally and ... the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 44."

The report, using input from injury-prevention experts, also scores states on 10 injury-prevention policies, including requiring motorcycle helmets and bicycle helmets for children, and having a "strong" concussion law.

Massachusetts scored a 7 out of 10. It did not get a point for the following indicators:

Seven states scored higher than Massachusetts — with 8s or 9s — on the 10-point test.