Childhood injury in Connecticut

We reviewed vital statistics (1988-95) and hospital discharge data (1990-94) for Connecticut children and youth to describe the epidemiology of childhood injuries. There are approximately 175 deaths (rate = 21/100,000) and 4,230 hospitalizations (rate = 468/100,000) annually due to injury. Nonfatal injuries resulted in over 94,000 hospital days at a cost of nearly $155 million dollars. Death and hospitalization rates are highest among male children and adolescents 15 to 19 years of age. Geographic analysis of injury revealed significantly higher injury death and hospitalization rates in towns greater than 100,000 population. In addition, a majority of the homicides occurred in large urban areas, and most of the motor vehicle occupant deaths and suicides occurred in suburban and rural areas. Injury is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in youth and is largely preventable. The data presented here allow for the development, implementation, and evaluation of community based injury prevention programs.