According to recent data from the Arizona Department of Health Services, residents of Arizona are experiencing a higher frequency of injuries compared to just a few years ago. The data reveals a consistent upward trend in trauma injuries from 2017 to 2023.
According to the report from the State Trauma Advisory Board, there were over 71,000 cases of falls, assaults, motor vehicle incidents, and other trauma injuries recorded last year. The rate of these incidents per 100,000 residents has seen a significant increase of more than 25% from 2017 to 2023.
The number of fall incidents in Arizona has been on the rise, leading to a significant increase in trauma injuries. In 2018, there were nearly 37,000 falls reported, which accounted for more than half of all trauma injuries in the state. This is a significant jump from the 21,000 falls reported in 2017.
In Arizona, falls are most common among adults over 65 years old. According to data from the health department, these falls resulted in over 22,000 hospitalizations, 664 deaths, and approximately $2.5 billion in hospital charges in 2023.
In response to the increase in falls, the State Trauma Advisory Board has expanded its fall prevention training for emergency workers.
In Arizona, there has been a notable increase in various types of trauma injuries since 2017. Specifically, motorcycle injuries have risen from approximately 1,900 incidents in 2017 to around 2,400 incidents last year. Interestingly, it is men between the ages of 18 and 24 who have experienced the highest rate of motorcycle injuries in the state.
In recent years, there has been a notable increase in bite and sting injuries, particularly among babies and toddlers. In 2017, a total of 572 bite and sting injuries were reported, whereas last year, this number rose to 995.