Nonfatal natural and environmental injuries treated in emergency departments, United States, 2001-2004.
Exposure to adverse natural and environmental events (eg, extreme temperatures and disasters) poses a public health burden when resulting in injuries requiring emergency care. We examined the incidence and characteristics of persons with environmental exposure-related injuries treated in US-based hospital emergency departments during 2001 to 2004 by using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program. An estimated 26 527 (95% CI = 18 664-34 390) injuries were treated annually-78% were heat-related. People with heat-related conditions were men (P < 0.001) and had a median age of 34 years (range = <1 month-94 years). Targeting vulnerable populations in community-wide response measures may reduce injuries from adverse environmental exposures, especially heat.
Sanchez
Carlos A
CA
Health Studies Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA.
Thomas
Karen E
KE
Malilay
Josephine
J
Annest
J Lee
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*