Did you know that while older adults are most vulnerable to falls, young adults in Kentucky are disproportionately affected by motor vehicle accidents?
Trauma doesn’t discriminate, it impacts individuals across all age groups.
However, certain age-specific trends emerge when we delve into the data, offering invaluable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities.
Based on the Kentucky Trauma Data Bank 2022 Annual Report, we’ve compiled seven compelling statistics that highlight how trauma affects different age groups in Kentucky.
Each statistic is accompanied by detailed analysis and tables to provide a comprehensive understanding of these trends.
Key Takeaways:
- Young adults aged 15-24 account for 16.55% of motor vehicle crash-related trauma cases, making them the most affected group in such incidents.
- Individuals aged 55 and older represent 74.75% of all unintentional fall injuries, highlighting the significant risk of falls among older adults.
- Youth aged 5-24 experience 38.67% of ‘struck by/against’ injuries, often related to sports and recreational activities.
- Adolescents and young adults aged 15-44 constitute over 63% of assault injuries, indicating a critical need for targeted violence prevention efforts.
- Middle-aged adults aged 45-54 face multiple injury risks, with significant numbers in motor vehicle accidents (13.24%), assaults (14.55%), and unintentional falls (7.19%).
- Elderly adults aged 85 and older account for 15.36% of unintentional fall injuries, emphasizing the importance of fall prevention strategies for senior
1. Young Adults (15-24) Lead in Motor Vehicle Crash-Related Trauma
- 16.55% of motor vehicle crash-related trauma cases involved patients aged 15-24.
- 16.40% involved patients aged 25-34, making young adults the most affected groups.
- Motor vehicle traffic collisions accounted for 26.94% of all trauma cases reported.
Motor Vehicle Crash-Related Trauma by Age Group
Young adults are disproportionately affected by motor vehicle accidents, possibly due to factors like inexperience, risk-taking behaviors, and higher likelihood of distracted driving.
This emphasizes the need for targeted road safety education and interventions for this age group.
To understand more about the impact of car accidents on young adults in Kentucky and explore legal options if you’ve been affected, click here.
2. Older Adults (55+) Account for Nearly 75% of Unintentional Falls
Individuals aged 55 and older represented 74.75% of all unintentional fall injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Kentucky’s fall-related death rate among seniors increased by 15% from 2018 to 2022.
Breakdown of unintentional falls by older age groups:
- 55-64 years: 14.45%
- 65-74 years: 20.88%
- 75-84 years: 24.06%
- 85+ years: 15.36%
Unintentional falls were the leading cause of injury, accounting for 44.56% of all trauma cases.
Unintentional Falls by Age Group
The high incidence of falls among older adults highlights the need for fall prevention programs, home safety assessments, and community support services to reduce the risk and impact of falls in this vulnerable population.
3. Children and Young Adults (5-24) Experience Over One-Third of Struck By/Against Injuries
38.67% of injuries from being unintentionally struck by or against an object occurred in patients aged 5–24.
- Alcohol-Impaired Driving: In 2022, 28% of traffic-related deaths in Kentucky involved alcohol-impaired driving, according to the NHTSA.
- Opioid Overdoses: The Kentucky Traffic Coalision reported a 14% increase in opioid overdose deaths in 2022 compared to the previous year.
- Age Groups Affected: Adults aged 25-54 are predominantly affected by substance abuse-related injuries and deaths.
These age groups accounted for:
- 5-14 years: 12.00%
- 15-24 years: 16.00%
- 25-34 years: 10.67%
Total number of struck by/against injuries: 375 cases.
Struck By/Against Injuries by Age Group
Many of these injuries are sports-related, suggesting a need for improved safety measures in schools, sports programs, and recreational activities to protect children and young adults.
4. Adolescents and Young Adults (15-44) Make Up Over 63% of Assault Injuries
63.31% of assault-related injuries were sustained by individuals aged 15–44.
Breakdown of assault injuries in this age range:
- 15-24 years: 20.48%
- 25-34 years: 21.83%
- 35-44 years: 21.00%
Total number of assault injuries: 962 cases.
Assault Injuries by Age Group
The high incidence of assault injuries among adolescents and young adults indicates a need for violence prevention programs, community engagement, and mental health services targeting these age groups.
5. Children Under 1 Year Have Minimal Trauma Incidences
Children less than 1 year old accounted for:
- 1.92% of other unintentional injuries.
- 1.33% of assault injuries.
- 0.15% of motor vehicle injuries.
Total trauma cases in this age group are minimal compared to other age groups.
Trauma Cases in Children Under 1 Year
While trauma cases are less common in infants, continued emphasis on child safety practices, such as proper use of car seats and safe sleep environments, remains essential to prevent injuries in this vulnerable age group.
The Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System noted a 10% increase in firearm-related injuries in 2022 compared to 2021.
6. Middle-Aged Adults (45-54) Show Significant Numbers in Various Injury Categories
Motor Vehicle Injuries:
- 13.24% of motor vehicle injuries were in the 45-54 age group.
Assault Injuries:
- 14.55% of assault injuries occurred in this age group.
Unintentional Falls:
- Accounted for 7.19% of unintentional fall injuries.
Trauma Cases in Middle-Aged Adults (45-54)
Middle-aged adults face risks both on the road and in daily activities.
Workplace safety programs, health education, and lifestyle interventions can help reduce trauma incidences in this demographic.
7. Elderly Adults (85+) Are Highly Susceptible to Falls but Less to Other Injury Types
Unintentional Falls:
- Individuals aged 85+ accounted for 15.36% of unintentional fall injuries.
Motor Vehicle Injuries:
- Represented only 1.65% of motor vehicle injuries.
Assault Injuries:
- Accounted for 0.73% of assault injuries.
Trauma Cases in Elderly Adults (85+)
The elderly population is particularly vulnerable to falls, which can lead to severe injuries and decreased quality of life.
Fall prevention strategies, such as home modifications, balance training, and medication reviews, are essential to protect older adults.
Adults aged 85 and older have the highest mortality rate following injuries, even from minor incidents.
Additional Insights and Recommendations in Kentucky
Distribution of Trauma by Sex
- Males accounted for 58.26% of trauma cases.
- Females represented 41.73% of cases.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
- White patients made up 87.82% of trauma cases.
- Black or African American patients accounted for 9.36%.
Injury Severity Scores (ISS)
- 63.36% of injuries were classified as mild (ISS 1-9).
- 16.93% were moderate (ISS 10-15).
- 11.04% were severe (ISS 16-24).
- 7.55% were very severe (ISS 25-75).
