Practice Areas

Consumer News

Client
Testimonials

Library

Car Wrecks Are Leading Cause of Unintentional Injury in Florida (age group 1-34)

More than 8,500 Florida residents die as a result of injury. However, fatal injuries are only a small part of the problem. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, "For every injury-related death, there are about 19 hospitalizations, 233 emergency department visits, and 450 office-based physician visits for injuries." Nationwide, the costs of injuries are estimated at $215 billion annually.

Injuries are classified as either intentional or unintentional. Intentional injuries include homicide and suicide. Unintentional injuries include motor vehicle crashes, fires, falls, drownings, and poisonings. For people aged 1 to 34 years, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in Florida and the United States. Florida's plan for Healthy Communities addresses the problem of injury and reports that more than three million emergency room visits are attributable to injuries. Two specific strategies are identified by the state for reducing morbidity and mortality due to injuries in Florida. These strategies include developing designated trauma centers in underserved areas and developing requirements for transferring trauma patients to designated centers.

Motor vehicle crashes account for the largest share of unintentional injuries. Suicide is the second most frequent cause of injury death in Florida. Children and adolescents face higher risk due to injury compared to other age groups. The specific causes of injury to children are most frequently motor vehicle crashes, followed by fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, unintentional firearms, and falls.

Florida's seniors are also vulnerable due to injuries. In 1997, nearly 800 Florida seniors died due to suicide. Falls are another common cause of injury among seniors. The National Center for Injury Prevention estimates that one in every three persons age 65 and older falls each year. Falls are the most common cause of injury-related hospital admissions among the elderly. Because many injuries can be prevented, the problem of injury is a significant public health
issue.

Important definition: Trauma is defined as blunt or penetrating injury.
Article by: Florida Department of Health

Free Consultation

Videos

FAQs