Killer #3: Injuries are third leading cause of death in Snohomish County
Published on Thu, Feb 10, 2011Read More County & State
Highest injury-death rates connect to drug misuse, suicide, motor vehicle collisions & falls
Cancer & heart disease still top the list of what kills us in our county
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Injuries take a deadly third place in the local list of things that kill us, according to a new report from Snohomish Health District, Injuries in Snohomish County. Data for the report come from death certificates, hospitalizations, motor vehicle collision reports, and surveys. Cancer and heart disease remain the first and second leading causes of death in Snohomish County.
"This report identifies deadly problems,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Health Officer and Director of Snohomish Health District. “Awareness of them can lead the community to effective prevention strategies that can save lives and reduce injuries. I am particularly concerned about injuries due to falls and poisoning.”
Key findings:
In 2007 injuries were the number one cause of non-childbirth hospitalizations in Snohomish County with 63,298 admissions costing $288 million in hospital charges. Between 2003 and 2007, there were 1,746 injury deaths in Snohomish County.
For 2003-2007, one-quarter of fatal injuries were due to unintentional poisoning. They increased 400% from 1990 through 2007. They surpassed motor vehicle deaths in 2004. Most were due to painkillers and were a combination of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Most unintentional poisoning deaths occurred in people age 25-64, while most hospitalizations were in those 65 and older.
For 2003-2007, 23% of fatal injuries were suicides.
For 2003-2007, motor vehicle collisions (MVC) accounted for 17% of fatal injuries. MVC mortality rates declined from 19 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 9 per 100,000 in 2007. From 2003-2007, there were 308 MVC deaths and 2,308 MVC hospitalizations. MVC deaths were highest in males and in those 15-24 and 65+ years of age. Motorcycle deaths increased significantly since 1995.
For 2003-2007, falls accounted for about 17% of injury deaths. Fall mortality rates more than doubled from 1990 to 2007 from 5 deaths per 100,000 to 11 per 100,000. People older than 65 were most likely to fall -- 61% fell at home, and an additional 29% fell in nursing homes. Falls were the most frequent cause of injury hospitalizations, accounting for almost half during 2003-2007.
The full report is available for download at http://www.snohd.org/Shd_HS/HealthData.aspx under Publications and Reports.
Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about local public health at www.snohd.org.
Cancer & heart disease still top the list of what kills us in our county
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Injuries take a deadly third place in the local list of things that kill us, according to a new report from Snohomish Health District, Injuries in Snohomish County. Data for the report come from death certificates, hospitalizations, motor vehicle collision reports, and surveys. Cancer and heart disease remain the first and second leading causes of death in Snohomish County.
"This report identifies deadly problems,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Health Officer and Director of Snohomish Health District. “Awareness of them can lead the community to effective prevention strategies that can save lives and reduce injuries. I am particularly concerned about injuries due to falls and poisoning.”
Key findings:
In 2007 injuries were the number one cause of non-childbirth hospitalizations in Snohomish County with 63,298 admissions costing $288 million in hospital charges. Between 2003 and 2007, there were 1,746 injury deaths in Snohomish County.
For 2003-2007, one-quarter of fatal injuries were due to unintentional poisoning. They increased 400% from 1990 through 2007. They surpassed motor vehicle deaths in 2004. Most were due to painkillers and were a combination of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Most unintentional poisoning deaths occurred in people age 25-64, while most hospitalizations were in those 65 and older.
For 2003-2007, 23% of fatal injuries were suicides.
For 2003-2007, motor vehicle collisions (MVC) accounted for 17% of fatal injuries. MVC mortality rates declined from 19 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 9 per 100,000 in 2007. From 2003-2007, there were 308 MVC deaths and 2,308 MVC hospitalizations. MVC deaths were highest in males and in those 15-24 and 65+ years of age. Motorcycle deaths increased significantly since 1995.
For 2003-2007, falls accounted for about 17% of injury deaths. Fall mortality rates more than doubled from 1990 to 2007 from 5 deaths per 100,000 to 11 per 100,000. People older than 65 were most likely to fall -- 61% fell at home, and an additional 29% fell in nursing homes. Falls were the most frequent cause of injury hospitalizations, accounting for almost half during 2003-2007.
The full report is available for download at http://www.snohd.org/Shd_HS/HealthData.aspx under Publications and Reports.
Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about local public health at www.snohd.org.
