The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71123

Bart J. Hammig, PhD, MPH and Janet Weatherly, MPH. Department of Health Education & Recreation, Southern Illinois University, 307 Pulliam Hall, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4632, 618-453-2783, bhammig@yahoo.com

PURPOSE: This study examined injury mortality among children aged 1-14 residing in Illinois between 1988-1998. Injury mortality data were analyzed by gender, geographic location (rural and urban), and manner and intent of injury.

METHODS: Illinois injury-related mortality among children was examined through the Compressed Mortality File administered through the CDC. The sample was comprised of all children aged 1-14 residing in the state of Illinois between 1988 and 1998 who died as a result of an injury according to International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, External Cause of Injury Codes. Deaths were further stratified by rural/urban status and by gender.

RESULTS: Between 1988 and 1998, there were 2,691 unintentional injury-related deaths and 790 intentional injury related deaths among persons aged 1-14 in the state of Illinois. Boys had higher rates of death in every injury category, with the exception of motor vehicle occupant and poisoning-related deaths. In five categories (suicide, pedestrian, falls, drowning, and bicycling) boys had at least twice the rate of mortality as girls. In contrasting the rates of injury mortality between urban and rural children, unintentional injury deaths were higher among rural dwelling children, whereas rates of intentional injury deaths were higher among urban children.

CONCLUSION: Results show differences in injury mortality between urban and rural children and between boys and girls. Reasons for these differences are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• · Identify which gender is more susceptible to injury mortality among children in Illinois.
• · Develop two potential factors that contribute to the injury mortality differences between boys and girls.
• · Recognize the differences between intentional and unintentional injury mortality among children living in urban and rural areas.
• · List two possible explanations for the differences in childhood injury mortality in rural and urban locations.

Keywords: Children, Injuries

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.