Leading Causes of Unintentional and Intentional Injury Mortality: United States, 2000–2009

Abstract

Objectives We have described national trends for the 5 leading external causes of injury mortality. Methods We used negative binomial regression and annual underlying cause-of-death data for US residents for 2000 through 2009. Results Mortality rates for unintentional poisoning, unintentional falls, and suicide increased by 128%, 71%, and 15%, respectively. The unintentional motor vehicle traffic crash mortality rate declined 25%. Suicide ranked first as a cause of injury mortality, followed by motor vehicle traffic crashes, poisoning, falls, and homicide. Females had a lower injury mortality rate than did males. The adjusted fall mortality rate displayed a positive age gradient. Blacks and Hispanics had lower adjusted motor vehicle traffic crash and suicide mortality rates and higher adjusted homicide rates than did Whites, and a lower unadjusted total injury mortality rate. Conclusions Mortality rates for suicide, poisoning, and falls rose substantially over the past decade. Suicide has surpassed motor vehicle traffic crashes as the leading cause of injury mortality. Comprehensive traffic safety measures have successfully reduced the national motor vehicle traffic crash mortality rate. Similar efforts will be required to diminish the burden of other injury.

Emergency Department Visits for Self-Inflicted Injuries in Adolescents

“…These findings highlight the importance of addressing and preventing self-harm behavior in this age group. Although multiple studies have highlighted that rates of SII are increasing in both adolescents and adults, 4,5 this study represents the most current analysis in an adolescent population. Our finding that cut/pierce was the most common mechanism differs from an earlier study using data from the NTDB 6 and may indicate a shift in self-harm behavior in youth.…”

“…4 A recent analysis looking at all age groups found that mortality rates for suicide increased by 15% from 2000 to 2009, and that suicide has surpassed motor vehicle traffic crashes as the leading cause of injury mortality in the United States. 5 Although research has shown changing patterns in self-harm, the majority of studies examining ED visits for SII in adolescents have examined data from 2008 or earlier. 4,[6][7][8][9][10] For primary and secondary prevention, it is vital to have the most recent information possible to most accurately describe the current epidemiology of self-harm behavior in youth.…”

Health Care Contacts in the Year Before Suicide Death

“…Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US, and the number one cause of injury-related death-recently surpassing mortality due to motor vehicle traffic accidents. 1,2 Suicide accounts for the loss of nearly 37,000 American lives each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 and there is evidence that the suicide rate has not improved over time. 3,4 However, research suggests that suicide is potentially preventable.…”

Thoracic spine trauma: advanced imaging modality

“…Contiguous fractures are more common in children than in adults [6][7][8][9][10]. This is of great importance, because failure to detect concomitant injuries can lead to delayed instability and additional neurologic deterioration.…”