Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Medicine

Trauma

Trauma is defined as a physical injury or a wound to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent. Trauma is the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 10% of all mortalities. It accounts for approximately 5 million deaths each year worldwide and causes disability to millions more (7,8). About half of all deaths due to trauma are in people aged 15-45 years and in this age it is the leading cause of death. Death from injury is twice as common in males as females, especially from motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and interpersonal violence. Trauma is therefore a serious public health problem with significant social and economic costs. Significant differences exist in the causes and the effects of traumatic injuries between geographical areas, and between low, middle, and high-income countries. It should be noted that alcohol and drug abuse increase the rate of traumatic injuries by precipitating interpersonal violence, child and sexual abuse, and motor vehicle accidents.