What are the Leading Causes of Premature Death from Unintentional Injuries?

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Read Next in Sonoma County Summary Measures of Health 2015-2017:
Has the Age-Adjusted Premature Mortality Rate Changed Over Time?

Currently, the United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths. Drug poisonings (overdoses) were the leading cause of premature death from unintentional injury in Sonoma County. Drug poisoning from both prescription and illegal drugs were responsible for about 44% of all premature death from unintentional injury, or about 5,100 years of potential life lost before age 75. The premature mortality rate (YPLL-75) from drug poisonings was significantly higher for Sonoma County men (520.9 YPLL-75 per 100,000) than women (223.0 YPLL-75 per 100,000). The rate was also significantly higher for white, non-Hispanic residents (466.5 YPLL-75 per 100,000) than Hispanic/Latino residents (195.5 YPLL-75 per 100,000). After remaining relatively constant from 2005-2007 to 2011-2013, the premature death rate for unintentional drug poisoning increased by over 55% from 2011-2013 to 2014-2016. There was no significant change in the rate from 2014-2016 to 2015-2017 (Figure 18).

Motor vehicle collisions were the second leading cause of premature death from unintentional injury, responsible for more than 3,800 years of potential life lost before age 75. Men had a significantly higher premature death rate from motor vehicle collisions than women (407.2 YPLL-75 per 100,000 compared to 184.0 YPLL-75 per 100,000, respectively). There was no significant difference in the premature death rate for motor vehicle collisions for white, non-Hispanic residents (290.2 YPLL-75 per 100,000) compared to Hispanic/Latino residents (281.6/100,000).  From 2005-2007 to 2011-2013 the premature death rate for unintentional motor vehicle collision decreased by over 63%. The rate then increased significantly (more than doubled) from 2011-2013 to 2015-2017. Despite the recent increase, the 2015-2017 rate remained significantly lower than the 2005-2007 rate (Figure 18).

Figure 18. Age-adjusted premature death (YPLL-75) rates due to unintentional injury by cause of death, three-year moving average, Sonoma County 2005-2007 to 2015-2017

Source: California Department of Public Health, California Integrated Vital Records System, 2015-2017; Accessed 4/8/2019.

View Figure 18 data in table format

Falls were responsible for about 4% of all premature deaths from unintentional injury, or about 400 years of potential life lost before age 75. The premature death rate from falls was significantly higher among men (40.6 YPLL-75 per 100,000) than women (10.8 YPLL-75 per 100,000). Asian/Pacific Islander residents of the county had a significantly higher premature death rate for falls than white, non-Hispanic or Hispanic/Latino residents (152.9 YPLL-75 per 100,000 compared to 25.8 YLPP-75 per 100,000 and 30.2 YPLL-75 per 100,000, respectively).  The premature death rate from falls remained relatively constant from 2005-2007 to 2009-2011 and then increased from 2009-2011 to 2013-2015. From 2013-2015 to 2015-2017, the premature death rate from falls decreased significantly.