Traumatic brain injury: outcomes from rural and urban locations over a 5-year period (Part 1).
The national death rates from rural trauma are disproportionately higher compared to urban areas. Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of hospital admissions in Hawai'i. This is the first in a two part series to explore this significant public health concern. Data on traumatic brain injuries from 2000-2004 was obtained from 2 sources. Male gender, alcohol use, and lack of protective devices resulted in higher rates of injury. Rates of severe injury were higher in young adults, the elderly, and in rural locations, but rural mortality rates here did not differ compared to urban settings. The greatest potential to reduce morbidity and mortality resides in the formulation and implementation of preventive strategies.
Chapital
Alyssa D
AD
Division of General Surgery, Mayo College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale/ Phoenix, 13400 East Shea Boulevard Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA. dr.chapital@gmail.com
Harrigan
Rosanne C
RC
Davis
James
J
Easa
David
D
Withy
Kelly
K
Yu
Mihae
M
Takanishi
Danny M
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*