Injuries from nonmotorized scooters treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2005-2020.

BACKGROUND: In the past decade scholarly attention has shifted away from examining injuries from nonmotorized scooters to injuries from electric scooters. This has resulted in a knowledge gap concerning current levels of injury due to the use of nonmotorized scooters. This study presents recent trend data and demographics of patients treated for injuries from nonmotorized scooters in US Emergency Departments (EDs) from 2005 to 2020. METHODS: The study examines data from a probability sample of hospitals with an ED under the auspices of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). NEISS generates annual national estimates of the incidence of injuries related to nonmotorized scooters. The NEISS data set includes demographic and diagnostic information about each patient as well as a narrative surrounding the circumstances surrounding the injury. RESULTS: Injuries from unpowered scooters in the United States have undergone a decline in the past decade. However, as data from this study reveals, injuries from nonmotorized scooters still constitute a substantial source of morbidity in the United States, totaling approximately 40,000 annually. Males and children in the age group 5 to 9 were found to be most likely to be injured. The most frequent type of diagnosis was "fracture" (26.4%), followed by "contusions/abrasions" (21.7%) and "laceration" (21.4%). The most common site of injury was the head, neck, or face (32%), followed in descending order by the forearm (28%), the leg (17.3%), the arm (9.8%), and the thigh (7.7%). The gender disparity in injuries to the head region was particularly pronounced. Among those who sustained a head or facial injury, more than two-thirds (68.6%) were male and this disparity persists even when controlling for age. Over time, the geographic location of injuries has shifted downwards from the home and increased in "places or recreation or sport" or "other public places." CONCLUSIONS: Injuries from nonmotorized in the United States are still sizeable in number and can be prevented by greater use of protective equipment. Injuries predominate among males and children in the age category of 5 to 9.

Incidence and factors related to nonmotorized scooter injuries in New York State and New York City, 2005-2020.

BACKGROUND: This study provides an analysis of contemporary trends and demographics of patients treated for injuries from nonmotorized scooters in emergency departments in New York state excluding New York City (NYS) and New York City (NYC). METHODS: The study tracks the incidence of nonmotorized scooter injuries in NYS and NYC from 2005 to 2020 and furnishes a detailed profile of the injured patients using patient-level records from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). A negative binomial regression analysis is performed on the SPARCS data to measure the simultaneous effects of demographic variables on scooter injuries for NYS and NYC. The study also examines the demographic correlates of the rate of injuries at the neighborhood level in NYC. A thematically shaded map of the injury rates in New York City neighborhoods is created to locate neighborhoods with greater concentrations of injuries and to identify the reasons which might account for their higher rate of injuries, such as street infrastructure. RESULTS: In NYS and NYC injuries from unpowered scooters underwent an overall decline in the past decade. However, both NYS and NYC are now evidencing an increase in their rates. The upswing in the rate in NYC in 2020 is particularly noticeable. Males and children in the age group 5 to 9 were found to be most susceptible to injury. Injuries were more prevalent in more affluent New York City neighborhoods. A map of the injury rates in the City's neighborhoods revealed a clustering of neighborhoods with higher than average injury rates. CONCLUSIONS: Injuries from nonmotorized scooters number approximately 40,000 annually in the US and can be prevented by greater use of protective equipment. Street infrastructure is a critical factor contributing to injuries from the use of nonmotorized scooters. Thematically shaded maps can be used to identify and target areas for purposes of intervention.

Recent trends and demographics of pedestrians injured in collisions with cyclists.

INTRODUCTION: Despite extensive media coverage of pedestrians who are injured in collisions with cyclists, little systematic inquiry has been carried out on this topic. This study examines the incidence of pedestrian injuries due to collisions with cyclists in the United States and in New York State and New York City (NYC) from 2005 to 2018. METHOD: The study rests on national data derived from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) and state and local data gathered by the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS). A negative binomial regression analysis was performed on the state and local data to measure the simultaneous effects of demographic variables on the incidence of pedestrian injuries. The study also mapped the incidence of injuries in NYC neighborhoods. RESULTS: Pedestrian injuries due to collisions with cyclists declined at both the national and state and local levels from 2005 to 2018. The decline was particularly pronounced among school-aged children. In NYC, the distribution of injuries was concentrated in certain neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Possible explanations for the decline in injuries include the change in the age composition of NYC's population, the greater level of physical inactivity among school-aged children, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and, importantly, improvements in the cycling infrastructure. Practical Applications: Cycling as a mode of transportation is continuing to grow in popularity, particularly in large cities in the United States and Europe. With this upsurge in popularity, it is important to create a safe environment for all road users. Improvements in the cycling infrastructure (especially the installation of protected bike lanes) reduce hazards not only to cyclists but to pedestrians as well.

The changing epidemiology of dog bite injuries in the United States, 2005-2018.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, the most recent year for which data are available, dog bites ranked as the 13th leading cause of nonfatal emergency department visits in the United States. As dog ownership spirals upwards in the United States, it is important to continue to monitor the epidemiology of dog bite injuries. This study provides contemporary data on the incidence of dog bites injuries in the United States and in New York and profiles individuals who have been treated for dog bites in emergency departments. The study also examines the demographic correlates of the rate of injuries at the neighborhood level in New York City and maps the rate in each neighborhood. METHODS: At the national level, the study examines longitudinal data on dog bite injuries from 2005 to 2018 gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For New York, the study analyzes data for 2005-2018 collected by the New York State Department of Health. A negative binomial regression analysis was performed on the state data to measure the simultaneous effects of demographic variables on the incidence of dog-related injuries. A thematically shaded map of the rate of dog bite injuries in New York City's neighborhoods was created to identify neighborhoods with higher-than-average concentration of injuries. RESULTS: In both the United States and New York the rate of dog-bite injuries increased from 2005 to 2011 and then underwent a significant decline. Injuries due to dog bites, however, still remain a sizable public health problem. Injuries are more prevalent among school-age children, inhabitants of less-densely populated areas, and residents of poorer neighborhoods. In New York City, poorer neighborhoods are also associated with fewer dogs being spayed or neutered. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce the rate of dog bite injuries, prevention programs - particularly those which center on teaching the dangers of canine interactions with humans - should be targeted at children. Dog bite injuries tend to be clustered in identifiable neighborhoods. Dog bite prevention programs and stricter enforcement of dog laws can target these neighborhoods.

Changing Incidence and Nature of Injuries Caused by Falls From Skateboards in the United States.

Since 2000, the number of emergency department visits and hospital admissions for children who have sustained a fall from a skateboard has undergone a noticeable decline. One possible explanation for this decline is that children today lead a more sedentary lifestyle and are not as engaged in outdoor physical activities as were children in previous generations. The profile of patients injured in skateboarding-related accidents has also changed since 2000. The percent minority, percent residents of large metropolitan areas, and percent who incur an injury on a street or highway have all increased during this time period. Data based on observations of riders in skateboard parks indicate that the overwhelming majority do not wear protective gear such as helmets, elbow/knee pads, or wrist guards, and that a sizable segment of riders compound their risk of injury by using headphones or earbuds when performing maneuvers.

Injuries Caused by Falls From Playground Equipment in the United States.

The objective of this study is to document the incidence of falls from playground equipment in the United States over time and to provide a detailed profile of the individuals injured in playground falls using several state and national databases. During the past decade, there has been a steep decline in the number of injuries treated in emergency departments caused by falls from playground equipment in the United States. Males, children between the ages of 5 to 9 years, and individuals from lower economic strata are overrepresented among those suffering an injury. Falls from monkey bars result in the greatest number of injuries (52%). Schools/day care centers and recreation areas each account for approximately 40% of injuries. The incidence of injuries occurring at home playgrounds has declined sharply in recent years. Fracture of the upper limb is the type of injury most often associated with a fall from playground equipment (43%).

Walk Score(TM), Perceived Neighborhood Walkability, and walking in the US.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate both the Walk Score(TM) and a self-reported measure of neighborhood walkability ("Perceived Neighborhood Walkability") as estimators of transport and recreational walking among Americans. METHODS: The study is based upon a survey of a nationally-representative sample of 1224 American adults. The survey gauged walking for both transport and recreation and included a self-reported measure of neighborhood walkability and each respondent's Walk Score(TM). Binary logistic and linear regression analyses were performed on the data. RESULTS: The Walk Score(TM) is associated with walking for transport, but not recreational walking nor total walking. Perceived Neighborhood Walkability is associated with transport, recreational and total walking. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived Neighborhood Walkability captures the experiential nature of walking more than the Walk Score(TM).

Pedestrian injuries due to collisions with bicycles in New York and California.

INTRODUCTION: Scant attention has been given to pedestrians injured in accidents resulting from collisions with cyclists. This scholarly neglect is surprising given the growing popularity of cycling. This study examines the incidence of pedestrians injured by cyclists in New York between 2004 to 2011 and in California from 2005 to 2011. The study also profiles the pedestrians injured in these two states during these two time frames. METHOD: The data for this study are based upon patient-level hospital records from New York and California. The data for New York comes from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) under the auspices of New York State's Department of Health. The data for California come from two sources: the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) and the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. RESULTS: The rate of pedestrians injured in collisions with cyclists has decreased over time. This decline has occurred despite the increase in the number of cyclists in these states during this same time period. Two possible explanations for this decline are: (a) less exposure of children to cyclists, and (b) improvements in the cycling infrastructure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Although the rate of injuries to pedestrians from collisions with cyclists has been decreasing, improvements to the cycling infrastructure will need to continue. Bike lanes, particularly protected bike lanes, have been shown to be an effective way of reducing cycling-pedestrian accidents. The results of the current study are consistent with this research. Educational campaigns aimed at cyclists that emphasize the safety of all road users--including pedestrians--will also need to continue to assure that this downward trend in the number of accidents is not reversed.