| HEALTH STATUS - Morbidity |
48 |
Injuries, many of which are preventable, are a significant source of health care costs. In 1999, there were 37.6 million visits to emergency departments (ED) due to injuries. Overall, females accounted for approximately 46 percent of injury-related ED visits in 1999 and males accounted for 54 percent. Among females with injury-related ED visits, the greatest proportion, approximately 15 percent, were among women aged 25-44.
In 1999, the overall number of injury-related visits to EDs per 100 persons per year was 13.8, with a rate of 12.3 for females and 15.4 for males. For persons aged 44 and younger, males had a higher rate of injury-related ED visits per year than females, with the gender disparity particularly large for persons aged 15-24 years. However, these gender differences essentially disappeared for persons aged 45 and older. Among females, the rate of injuries resulting in a visit to an emergency department was highest for women aged 75 years and older, with the second highest rate among females aged 15-24 years.
Falls are a leading cause of injury in women, especially among women aged 65 and older. Other injuries commonly resulting in a visit to an emergency department result from being struck by or against a person or object, car crashes, overexertion, and cuts.(1)
1 - Warner M, Barnes PM, and Fingerhut LA. Injury and poisoning episodes and conditions, National Health Interview Survey, 1997. Vital Health Stat 10(202), 2000.
