QuickStats: Annual Rate* of Injury Episodes† for Leading Causes of Injury, by Sex --- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2004--2007

QuickStats: Annual Rate* of Injury Episodes† for Leading Causes of Injury, by Sex --- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2004--2007
Weekly
February 19, 2010 / 59(06);167


* Rates are average annual estimates and are age adjusted using the 2000 U.S. standard population and the following age groups: <15 years, 15--24 years, 25--44 years, 45--64 years, 65--74 years, and ≥75 years.

† Episodes of physical damage to the body from external causes resulting from traumatic events, which can include intentional or unintentional injuries. Estimates are based on responses to a series of questions asked during a household interview of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are for nonfatal, medically attended injuries during the 5 weeks preceding the interview.

§ 95% confidence interval.

¶ "Overexertion" denotes excessive physical exercise or strenuous movements in recreational or other activities; "struck" denotes being struck by or against an object or person; "transportation" denotes trauma involving motor vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, trains, boats, and airplanes; and "cut or pierced" denotes being cut or pierced by instruments or objects.

During 2004--2007, falls were the leading cause of injury, accounting for nearly 40% of all injuries and more than twice as many injuries as any other cause. Falls were the leading cause for both males and females, but the age-adjusted injury rate for falls was 17% higher among females than males. In contrast, the age-adjusted injury rate for being struck was 35% lower among females than males, and the injury rate for being cut or pierced was 50% lower among females than males.

SOURCE: Chen LH, Warner M, Fingerhut L, Makuc D. Injury episodes and circumstances: National Health Interview Survey, 1997--2007. Vital Health Stat 2009;10(241). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_241.pdf .

Alternative Text: The figure above shows the rate of injury episodes for leading external causes, by sex in the United States during 2004-2007. Falls were the leading cause of injury, accounting for nearly 40% of all injuries and more than twice as many injuries as any other cause. The injury rate for falls was 17% higher among females than males. In contrast, the injury rate for being struck was 35% lower among females than males, and the injury rate for being cut or pierced was 50% lower among females than males.