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Childhood injuries in the United States. Mortality, Morbidity, and cost

B Guyer1, B Ellers

  • 1Department of Maternal and Child Health, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene, Baltimore, MD 21205.

American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|June 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Childhood injuries, particularly from motor vehicles, homicide, and suicide, are a major cause of death and significant financial burden. Prevention efforts require greater federal and state commitment.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatric Injury Prevention
  • Health Economics

Background:

  • Childhood injuries represent a significant public health issue with substantial mortality, morbidity, and economic costs.
  • Existing data often lacks comprehensive national estimates broken down by specific injury causes.
  • Adolescents (15-19 years) face the highest risk of injury-related fatalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present national estimates of childhood injury mortality, morbidity, and associated costs.
  • To identify leading causes of childhood injury deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits.
  • To analyze the direct and indirect economic costs of unintentional childhood injuries.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of national data to estimate mortality, morbidity, and costs associated with various childhood injury causes.
  • Categorization of injuries by specific mechanisms (e.g., motor vehicle, falls, homicide, suicide, sports).

Main Results:

  • Motor vehicle-related injuries, homicide, and suicide are leading causes of childhood injury deaths.
  • Falls and sports-related injuries are primary causes for hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
  • Unintentional childhood injuries incurred an estimated $7.5 billion cost in 1982, with falls, sports, and motor vehicle occupant injuries having the highest direct costs.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood injuries impose a substantial burden on public health and the economy.
  • Targeted prevention strategies are crucial for leading causes like motor vehicle injuries, falls, and sports-related incidents.
  • Enhanced federal and state commitment is essential for effective childhood injury prevention initiatives.

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