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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 (overnight mail use 20850), USA. Electronic address: margaret.mattson@samhsa.hhs.gov.
Margaret E
ME
Mattson
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 (overnight mail use 20850), USA.
Rong
R
Cai
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Services Administration, 1 Choke Cherry Road, Rockville, MD 20857 (overnight mail use 20850), USA.
Albert
A
Woodward
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D001334:Automobile Driving; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality
Morbidity; Mortality; Motor vehicle crashes; Substance use; Underage drinkers