03 Aug Alarming Increase in Violent and Unintentional Injuries Since 2014
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Sauaia
Dr. Angela Sauaia, MD, PhD
Professor of Public Health and Surgery
University of Colorado Denver
Statistical Editor, Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
Statistical Consultant, Department of Surgery
Denver Health Medical Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: As injury researchers we monitor national trends in injury.
The CDC WISQARS (Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System) is one of the few available open sources of injury data we can use. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, we saw much improvement in deaths due to most injury mechanisms, such as car accidents fatalities. Our study shows, however, that recent trends seem to be eroding these promising survival gains.
Both violent and unintentional injuries alike seem to be increasing, especially since 2014. We are unclear about the causes of this recent increase in trauma-related deaths, but it is an alarming trend.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: It is important that we as a society realize that injuries should be seen as one of our most important public health problems. It is important that we as a society continue to demand solutions, which can only come from good research.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: We need much research on the causes of these alarming trends. Even deaths due to car crashes, which have declined steadily for a decade are on the rise. It is unfortunate that we must continue to conduct research with scarce resources.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: Impressively, injury remains one of the leading causes of death among Americans. Yet, the funding for research in injury is dismal, especially for certain mechanisms, namely firearm-related injuries. It is one of the few such lethal conditions for which there is a single, known, avoidable cause. Yet, it is the only such lethal condition for which there is a controversial congressional ban on funding.
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Last Updated on August 3, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD