
Safety 2010 Conference CMS

View / Edit Abstract

Email: *
Surname: *
First Name: *
Job Title: *
Institution: *
Address *	Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 4770 Buford Hwy, N.E. Mailstop F-62 Atlanta, GA 30341
Post/Zip Code *

Preferred presentation mode *

Oral Poster Workshop

Are you prepared to accept an alternative presentation mode? *

Yes No

Title of paper *

Authors: *

Presenting Author: *

Topic(s): *

Other Topic(s)

Key Words

Abstract Content *

Background: As the U.S. population ages, more older adults will face transportation and mobility challenges.  This study examines the characteristics and number of non-fatally injured older pedestrians.  
Methods: Data were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance SystemAll Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) for the years 2001 through 2006.  Cases included persons aged 65 years and older who were non-fatally injured on a public roadway by falling, being hit by a motor vehicle, overexerting themselves, being struck by an object or animal, or being hit by some other form of transport.  
Results: Each year, an estimated 52,482 older adults were treated in emergency departments for non-fatal pedestrian injuries.  Falling and being hit by a motor vehicle resulted in 92.5% of older adult pedestrian injuries.  Older adult pedestrian injuries were often severe; about a third of injuries were to the head or neck, nearly a third resulted in a fracture, and 16% resulted in hospitalization or transfer to another facility.  Nearly a quarter of, or more than 9,000, older pedestrian fall-related injuries involved a curb.
Conclusions:  The growth in the older adult population could add to the overall burden of these non-fatal pedestrian injuries, including negatively affecting the health and quality of life of older adults and further taxing the already strained U.S. healthcare system.  Making transportation and mobility improvements, including environmental modifications, is important to preventing these injuries. Modifications may include medians, refuge islands, and curb modifications.

Back No change

View / Edit Abstract

Web favorites