On an average day in 2007, eight Massachusetts residents died of injuries, more than 185 were hospitalized, and nearly 2,000 were treated at emergency departments for injuries. Injuries are the leading cause of death for people ages one to 44 years of age and are the third leading cause of death for all ages combined. In fact, injuries result in more deaths of children and youth ages one to 19 years than all other causes combined. In 2007, there were nearly 3,000 deaths, 60,000 hospitalizations, and more than 700,000 emergency department (ED) visits because of injuries.
This chapter focuses on unintentional injury, including falls, motor crashes, fires and drowning. More information on intentional injuries - such as suicide and homicide - are featured in chapters 12 and 13.
In this chapter
Unintentional Injury - Traumatic Brain Injuries - Falls Among Older Adults (65+ Years) - Motor Vehicle Occupant Injuries - Pedestrian Injuries - Fire Injuries - Drowning/Near Drowning - Poisoning - Strategies for Injury Prevention - Policy Perspective: Cindy Rodgers, MPH, Former Director, Injury Prevention and Control Program, MDPH
List of figures and tables
Download these figures in .jpeg format to use in your own presentations.
- Figure 11.1 Leading Causes of Unintentional Injury Deaths (JPG)
- Figure 11.2 Traumatic Brain Injury Rates Across the Lifespan by Leading Causes of Injury (JPG)
- Figure 11.3 Trends in Fall Death Rates Among Older Adults (JPG)
- Figure 11.4 Fall-related Hospitalization Rates Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury
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and Hip Fracture, 65 (JPG)
- Figure 11.5 Acute Care Hospital Utilization Rates for Nonfatal Motor Vehicle Traffic Occupant Injury (JPG)
- Figure 11.6 Average Annual Motor Vehicle Traffic Occupant Fatality Rates by Age Group (JPG)
- Figure 11.7 Fire/Flame Death Rates (JPG)
- Figure 11.8 Leading Causes of Residential Fire Deaths (JPG)
- Figure 11.9 Poisoning Death Rates (JPG)
This information is provided by the Department of Public Health.