TRAUMA TO THE CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS: PART I: AN OVERVIEW OF MORTALITY, MORBIDITY AND COSTS; N.S.W. 19771

Abstract

An epidemiological study of neurotrauma in New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, 1977, was initiated and sponsored by the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, conducted by its Trauma Subcommittee in collaboration with the Division of Health Services Research, Health Commission of New South Wales, founded by the Australian Brain Foundation and the Commonwealth Department of Health and supported by the Health Commissions of New South Wales and South Australia. Cranio-cerebral and spinal injury was the leading cause of death up to the age of 44 yr in New South Wales (and South Australia) and up to the age of 49 in the male population and in the country regions. It accounted for 45% of all deaths of those aged 15-24 yr. Cranio-cerebral and spinal injury caused 71% of all deaths on the roads. Sixty-four percent of those dying in road accidents never reached the hospital. The figures for mortality and morbidity in the country regions were significantly worse than those in the metropolitan regions. The most important causes were identified and recommendations aimed at reducing this record were formulated.