Top 5 Takeaways
- High Proportion of Injuries Among Minorities: Emergency department (ED) visits for pedestrian injuries were disproportionately higher among six racial and ethnic minority groups, with the visit proportions ranging from 1.53 to 2.47 times higher than those among non-Hispanic White individuals.
- Youth and Male Predominance: Young adults aged 15–34 years and males exhibited significantly higher proportions of ED visits for pedestrian injuries, emphasizing a demographic trend in traffic-related pedestrian incidents.
- Seasonal Variation: There was a noticeable increase in pedestrian injuries during the autumn months (September to November), with a 1.21 times higher visit proportion compared to the summer season.
- Geographical Disparities: Significant regional differences were noted, with the highest visit proportion observed in HHS Region 2 (New Jersey and New York), which was 4.29 times higher than the referent region (Region 7).
- Use of Syndromic Surveillance: The CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP) played a crucial role in providing timely data, helping to monitor trends and disparities in pedestrian injuries more effectively.
Original Article Author and Citation
Corresponding Author
Vaughn Barry, PhD, fvd5@cdc.gov.
Suggested Citation
Barry V, Van Dyke ME, Nakayama JY, et al. Emergency Department Visits for Pedestrians Injured in Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes — United States, January 2021–December 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73(17):387–392. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7317a1.
Summary
The study highlights the growing issue of pedestrian injuries in motor vehicle crashes, showing a significant impact on minorities and younger populations. This data, collected from the NSSP, underscores the necessity for targeted interventions to reduce these injuries.
Methods
Data for this analysis was sourced from the NSSP, which captures near real-time ED data across the U.S. Pedestrian injuries were identified using a combination of diagnosis codes and free-text terms, with comparisons made across various demographic and temporal variables.
Discussion
The findings suggest that pedestrian safety interventions should consider demographic and regional disparities. The data indicate that seasonal variations and regional differences could inform tailored prevention strategies.
Conclusion
By leveraging timely data from the NSSP, public health officials can better understand and address the factors contributing to pedestrian injuries. This study advocates for a comprehensive approach to pedestrian safety, incorporating the Safe System approach to protect all road users.
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