Increases in Medically Attended Nonfatal Injury Episodes Among Females in the United States

Analysis of mortality and emergency department (ED) data have historically shown higher injury rates among males than females. In 2014, the injury-related death rate was 85.5 per 100,000 population for males and 36.3 for females.

In 2013, 10,746 injury-related ED visits were made per 100,000 population for males and 8,957 for females. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) collects information on medically attended nonfatal injury episodes, providing national estimates beyond deaths and ED visits.

NCHS has released a report that describes changes in injury episodes in the female population, comparing estimates in 2005–2008 and 2011–2014 by age group, race and ethnicity, cause of injury, and location of injury.

Findings:

• From 2005–2008 to 2011–2014, the nonfatal injury rate increased for females but remained unchanged for males.
• In 2005–2008, males had a higher nonfatal injury rate than females; however, in 2011–2014, the rates for males and females were similar.
• From 2005–2008 to 2011–2014, the nonfatal injury rate increased significantly for women aged 45–64 and for non-Hispanic white females.
• The increase in the nonfatal injury rate among females over time could not be attributed to a specific cause or place of injury occurrence.