Roderick J McClure|Robert M. Douglas
The public health impact of minor injury
Australian National University|Australian National University
mortality hospital morbidity data usually used quantify burden injury generally considered represent tip iceberg article documents populationbased morbidity arising nonhospitalised injuries demonstrates public health importance group injuries prospective cohort study conducted australian population using sample injured adults identify health outcomes arising range injuries total health loss caused injury experienced subjects period injury recovery calculated weighted provide population estimates study shown minor injuries responsible greater part injuryrelated health burden adult community injuries coded 1 abbreviated injury scale account 80 morbidity arising first six months injury 75 estimated lifetime morbidity lifetime estimates morbidity resulting injuries considered serious enough admit hospital order magnitude higher resulted either death hospitalisation sprains contributed much total morbidity injuries types combined limb injuries contributed total morbidity injuries central structures results study provide strong argument recognition public health importance minor injury strategies prevention management minor injury must included national programmes injury control