William H. Frist: “Each year, nearly 1 of every 10 Americans is injured and requires medical attention. Injuries are the fifth leading…”

“Each year, nearly 1 of every 10 Americans is injured and requires medical attention. Injuries are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Trauma kills more people between the ages of one and 44 than any other disease or illness. While injury prevention programs have greatly reduced death and disability, severe injuries will continue. Given the mass trauma events of September 11, 2001 and our Nation's renewed focus on enhancing disaster preparedness, it is critical that the Federal Government increase its commitment to strengthening programs governing trauma care system planning and development. The direct and indirect cost of injury is estimated to be about $224 billion a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death rate from unintentional injury is more than 50 percent higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Only one fourth of the U.S. population lives in an area served by a trauma care system. Studies of conventional trauma care show that as many as 35 percent of trauma patient deaths could have been prevented if optimal acute care had been available. It is essential that all Americans have access to a trauma system that provides needed care as quickly as possible. Since 1990, Congress has sought to improve care through the Trauma Care Systems Planning and Development Act. This Act provides grants for planning, implementing, and developing statewide trauma care systems.”