Regional variations of northern health: the epidemic of fatal trauma in northeastern Ontario.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the causes of traumatic death in a northern region of Ontario.


METHODS
Prevalence study of trauma deaths occurring within the region of Northeastern Ontario over the years 1989-1991; regional data were compared with provincial data.


RESULTS
1,027 patient records were identified over the study period (51.4 deaths per 100,000 population/year). Non-intentional trauma accounted for 70% of all trauma deaths in the region; suicide (25%; 12.8/100,000) and homicide (5%; 2.4/100,000) were less common. Motorized vehicle trauma accounted for most of the non-intentional traumatic death (39%; 20.4/100,000). Age-standardized mortality ratios were 67% above the provincial average for non-intentional trauma, 71% above the provincial average for suicides, 55% above the provincial average for homicides, and 68% higher for all forms of traumatic death.


CONCLUSIONS
Traumatic death is a major health problem in northern areas; reduction of these rates depends on the development of an effective injury prevention strategy.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control