TRAFFIC-RELATED INJURY HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG CALIFORNIA ELDERLY, 1994

Traffic-related injuries among the elderly are a growing concern in mo st developed and many developing countries. To better understand injur ies sustained by the elderly in the traffic environment, hospitalizati ons for traffic-related injuries among those aged 64 and over in Calif ornia in 1994 were examined to determine incidence and characterize in juries. Both injury incidence and injury severity increased as age inc reased over 64. Males were more likely to be injured as drivers of mot or vehicles, but females were more likely to be injured as passengers. Fractures and internal injuries represented 72.3% of all primary diag noses, and total hospital charges exceeded $140 million. Efforts to re duce traffic-related injuries in the elderly and to reduce injury seve rity will be increasingly important as the elderly comprise a larger p roportion of the population. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.