Related Experiment Videos
Childhood injuries in Hartford, Connecticut
Insights
Injuries are a major cause of death and hospitalization for children and adolescents in Hartford. Homicide and falls are leading causes, with significant medical costs and a high reliance on Medicaid for acute care.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Injuries represent a significant public health concern for individuals aged 0 to 19.
- Understanding injury epidemiology is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a detailed epidemiologic profile of injuries among Hartford residents aged 0 to 19.
- To identify leading causes of injury-related mortality and morbidity.
- To analyze the economic impact of injuries on the healthcare system.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vital statistics and hospital discharge data from Hartford residents.
- Examination of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations between 1980 and 1986.
- Review of inpatient hospital charges and payment sources for injury cases.
Main Results:
- Injuries caused 2.3 deaths per 10,000 persons annually and were the leading cause of death for ages 1-19.
- Hospitalization rate for injuries was 95 per 10,000 persons, accounting for 16% of all discharges.
- Homicide was the leading cause of injury death (43%), while falls were the leading cause of injury hospitalization (22%).
- Injury-related hospitalizations cost over $1.4 million in 1986, with 51% listing Medicaid as the primary payment source.
Conclusions:
- Injury prevention efforts are critical for reducing mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs in pediatric populations.
- Targeted interventions are needed for homicide and fall prevention.
- Addressing socioeconomic factors may be important given the high rate of Medicaid-funded care.
Abstract:
Vital statistics and hospital discharge data were analyzed to provide a detailed epidemiologic profile of injury among Hartford residents 0 to 19 years of age. During 1980-86, 76 death certificates identified injury as the cause of death, resulting in an annual age-specific death rate of 2.3 per 10,000 persons. Injuries caused more deaths among one to 19 year olds (58%) than all other diseases combined. During 1982-86 injury was listed as the principal diagnosis leading to hospitalization for 2,220 Hartford residents 0 to 19 years. The hospitalization rate was 95 per 10,000 persons. Injuries accounted for 16% of all hospital discharges. For ages 0 to 19, homicide was the leading injury-related cause of death accounting for 43% of fatalities. Falls were the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations accounting for 22% if all discharges. Clay-Arsenal (23%) and the Northeast (17%) neighborhoods accounted for the largest proportion of injury deaths. Actual inpatient hospital charges for 1986 were reviewed. The total cost for 420 injury discharges utilizing 2,208 hospital days exceeded $1.4 million dollars. Fifty-one percent of the injury discharges listed Medicaid as the primary expected payment source for acute care injury-related discharges. The statistical patterns identified in this report will help public health professionals establish goals for injury control efforts such as a reduction in morbidity, mortality, severity, and/or medical costs.