A study of trauma in an Amish community.

An analysis of 272 Amish admissions to a community hospital over a 3-year period revealed 60 to be trauma related. The majority of the accidents were unique to the Amish community, with 26.7% horse and buggy related. Falls accounted for 20%, "hay hole" falls 8.3%, power saw injuries 8.3%, and horse drawn farm equipment 6.7%. The Amish are an exceptional group whose religious beliefs disallow the use of many modern conveniences such as automobiles and electricity. As with the general population, transportation played a major role as the main source of trauma in the Amish group; however, overall mortality and morbidity appear to be less.