3/9/99
Public Health
Accidents are the 5th leading cause of death in US
· 145,000 die each year from injuries
· 150,000 die each year from accidents
· 500,000 permanently disabled as result of accidents
ph28
· ~50,000 auto accident death due to alcohol each year (age group 15-24 is highest killed (19,0404)
· accidental deaths due to falls each year ~13,000 w/age group of 75+ being the largest (7,513) (most occurring in the bathroom)
· accidental deaths due to drowning; ages 15-24 is the highest 2000-3000 each year
· at least 2 million fires in US each year w/6000 deaths resulting
· smoke alarms absent
· kerosine heaters
· death by choking most common for 75+ people mostly in nursing homes
· accidental deaths by firearms is about 2000/yr (some maybe murders and suicides)
· poisoning (carbon monoxide) is main source—ordorless, colorless gas
· 27-30,000 suicides/yr—prominent age group is teenagers
· 2100 deaths/yr at construction sites
· 600 in mining
· 1800 in agricultural
· 1400 at public transportation—ground transportation for more hazardous than air transportation
· 1000 from manufacturing
· fatalities form large airline transportation is 235/yr
· 0.6 deaths every 100,000 flight hours
· from smaller airlines (air taxis) is 1.59 deaths every 100,000 flight hours
· public ground transportation = 3276 deaths/yr (doesn't count automobile accidents; only trains and buses)
· reasons for accidents
· alcohol
· 50-75% of fatalities from auto accidents involve alcohol
· 1/50 cars driven by drunk driver (BAC>legal level; 0.08% in IL)
· 0.15% BAC = level of intoxication; if caught driving w/this level, arrested
· accident proneness
· psychological behavior
· people who come from strict families
· develop hatred towards authority
· do things they were previously restricted from doing
· need counseling