The injured elderly: a rising tide.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Care Epidemiology
• Geriatric Injury

Background:

• Injury remains a significant public health concern despite advancements in trauma care.
• Regular epidemiological surveys are crucial for trauma system improvement.
• This study analyzes 15-year trends in Florida injury rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize changes in injury rates across different age groups in Florida over 15 years.
• To identify shifts in injury patterns and severity.
• To inform future trauma system design and healthcare resource allocation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a statewide database of injured patients from 1995 to 2010.
• Incorporated U.S. Census data for population denominators.
• Defined severe injury using International Classification Injury Severity Scores (<0.85).
• Analyzed injury rates (per 100,000 residents) and trends via linear regression.

Main Results:

• Overall injury rates decreased by 18% in children but increased by 2% in adults and 17% in the elderly.
• Severe injury proportion decreased in children and the elderly; no change in adults.
• Significant shifts in injury patterns observed across all age demographics.

Conclusions:

• Elderly injury rates are increasing seven times faster than adult rates.
• In 2010, the elderly (17% of population) comprised 55% of injury discharges.
• These findings necessitate re-evaluation of trauma system design and healthcare resource utilization for an aging population.