Injury mortality in adults 25-64 years of age: implications for prevention

The aim of this retrospective study was to identify major categories of death from injury in the age range 25 to 64 years and their potential for prevention. We analysed the Victorian Coroner's database of deaths from injury for the three years from 1989-90 to 1991-92. The major causes of death were suicide (39.9 per cent) and transport-related injury (30.2 per cent). Males accounted for 75.4 per cent of injury deaths. The highest mortality rate was in the youngest age group, 25 to 29 years. Deaths from injury in the study age range accounted for slightly more than half of all deaths from injury in Victoria, although this age group had a lower mortality rate than other age groups. Specific issues for prevention programs include reduction of access to carbon monoxide car emissions and prevention of transport-related injury to motor vehicle occupants. Data reliability issues identified in this study have implications for refinements of the Victorian Coroner's database and hence for the National Coronial Information System currently under development.