Citation

Levy ML, Levy KM, Giannotta SL, Apuzzo MLJ. Am. Behav. Sci. 1994; 38(2): 323-340.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0002764294038002012

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Traumatic injuries are epidemic in proportion and represent the greatest health hazard in America today. There are 2.3 million hospitalizations each year as a result of trauma and 142,500 deaths. The cost of traumatic injuries to the patient and economy are overwhelming. Treatment and rehabilitation for patients with severe head injuries is approximately $310,000 per patient. Treatment and rehabilitation for patients with quadriplegia is approximately $570,000 per patient. Despite this, only 2% of funding for basic research is used to study trauma. As physicians, the authors not only have a direct interest in injuries that compromise the function of the central nervous system but also are involved in the prevention of these injuries. They also feel a responsibility to provide information to high-risk populations that could prevent such injuries from occurring. Two preventive programs are discussed that specifically address these types of injuries in this population of patients.