Young adults at risk

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 19

Young adults at risk

PA Wellington Accidents, particularly in motor vehicles, are the primary cause of death among young adults, according to Department of Health statistics. The department, in its report on public health to Parliament, said that among the 15-29 age group, more than one death in three (36 per cent) in 1976 was caused by traffic accidents. The rate was 42 per cent for the 15-25 age group, and 46 per cent for males in that group. “Males aged between 15 and 24 comprise fewer than 10 per cent of the New Zealand population, but they account for more than one-third of motor vehicle accident deaths,” the report said. About 2000 people died in New Zealand every year from accidental and other external causes.

The report said that the treatment of injuries caused by accidents was

expensive. Accident cases constituted 15.2 per cent of all days spent in hospital in 1975, and the total annual cost of accident victim care in public hospitals had been estimated to be about S7OM. Accidents were also a significant cause of death in toddlers and young children. A total of 185 children aged five or younger died in 1976; 42 per cent of these deaths were caused by accidents. Almost half the deaths in the 5-14 age group were caused by transport or other accidents, said the report. Other significant causes of child mortality were accidental poisoning, bums, and drowning. The department’s report said that about 8 per cent of children swallowed something poisonous before their third ' birthday, but new safety packaging, combined with increased publicity, should help prevent infant deaths through poisoning.