The epidemiology and causes of injuries resulting in hospitalization in New York City: 1990-1992.

The purpose of this study is to present data on the distribution and etiology of nonfatal injuries resulting in hospital discharges in New York City (NYC). Records of all NYC residents discharged for injuries from acute stay hospitals 1990-1992 were tabulated. Injuries from surgical and medical procedures, adverse effects of drugs in therapeutic use, and late effects of injury were excluded. The results indicate that there was a marked geographic variation in rates: higher rates of assaults, self-inflicted injuries, burns, unintentional injuries from firearms, and injuries to bicyclists in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The data show that injuries in NYC have distinctive features that should form the basis for targeted prevention activities.