Abstract Introduction Emergency department (ED) visits resulting from motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) among individuals younger than 21 impaired by alcohol and/or drugs have been less studied than MVC fatalities. Method Using data from 2004 to 2011, we compare the magnitude and pattern of national ED visit and mortality data for alcohol- and drug-impaired youths involved in MVCs. Results Temporal patterns of ED visits are similar to those of fatalities, but the two differ in magnitude. The ratio of ED visits to fatalities is 3.5:1; alcohol related events involvement dominates other drugs in both categories. Discussion The volume of injuries serious enough to warrant ED visits imposes significant health, social, and financial burdens. In ED visits, alcohol is the prime source of MVC morbidity burden; other drugs consistently contribute less. Practical applications These incidents are persistent and require interventions aimed at multiple levels of prevention, including stricter corrective steps earlier in the impaired driving career to reduce subsequent incidents. ED visits for MVC injuries can be important “teachable moments.” Limitations of the study indicate the need for improved surveillance of underage substance-involved crashes.

    Highlights Morbidity due to vehicle crashes among substance impaired youths is understudied. Emergency department visits for impaired youths exceed 6,000 per year. The ratio of ED visits to fatalities is 3.5:1; alcohol related events involvement dominates. ED visits for MVC injuries can be important “teachable moments.” Improved surveillance of underage substance-involved crashes is needed.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff prüfen

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen

    Bestellung bei Subito €


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    Emergency department visits vs. fatalities among substance-impaired underage youths involved in motor vehicle crashes


    Beteiligte:
    Mattson, Margaret E. (Autor:in) / Cai, Rong (Autor:in) / Woodward, Albert (Autor:in)

    Erschienen in:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2015-03-11


    Format / Umfang :

    7 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch