Recreational Outdoor Injury and Mortality in Texas State Parks Between 2012 and 2021

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Outdoor Recreation Safety

Background:

• The outdoor recreation industry in Texas is experiencing significant growth.
• There is a lack of published research on the epidemiology of outdoor recreation injuries and fatalities in Texas.
• This study addresses this gap by analyzing injury data from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze outdoor recreational injury and mortality trends in Texas.
• To identify high-risk activities and geographic locations for outdoor incidents.
• To inform the development of targeted prevention and education strategies.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of TPWD injury incident reports from July 2012 to April 2021.
• Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, χ² analysis, and Fisher exact test were used.
• Two multivariable logistic regression models assessed the impact of season, activity, and location on outcomes.

Main Results:

• A total of 4882 outdoor recreational events were analyzed, including 4401 injuries (90.1%) and 124 mortalities (2.5%).
• Hiking (24.3%) and walking/running (23.6%) were the most common activities preceding injury, while water sports (42.6%) and hiking (16.4%) were most associated with fatalities.
• The Hill Country (24.01%) and Prairies and Lakes (23.48%) regions reported the most incidents.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a comprehensive overview of outdoor recreational injuries and fatalities in Texas.
• Key trends in activities, injury types, and locations were identified.
• Findings can guide public health initiatives and safety education for outdoor enthusiasts in Texas.