The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #36700

Silvana K. Zavala, MPH and Michael T. French, PhD. Health Services Research Center, University of Miami, 1801 N.W. 9th Avenue, Highland Professional Building, Third Floor (D-93), Miami, FL 33136

Objectives: This study estimated the differential risks of serious injury or trauma among a community-based sample of chronic drug users (CDUs) and a matched group of non-drug users (NDUs). The study also estimated whether CDUs and NDUs differed in their utilization of health care services for serious injury or trauma. Methods: Data were collected in 1996 and 1997 through community outreach activities in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The analysis estimated the effects of drug use on (1) any lifetime serious injury or trauma, (2) any serious injury or trauma during the past 12 months, and (3) utilization of health care services for serious injury or trauma. To account for the potential endogeneity of drug use, various specification tests were conducted, which indicated that CDU was exogenous in all models. Results: CDU had a positive and significant effect on the probability of experiencing any serious injury or trauma (both lifetime and past year). Conditional on experiencing any serious injury or trauma during the past year, CDUs and NDUs did not differ in their utilization of health care services. Conclusions: The elevated risk of serious injury or trauma for CDUs renders these individuals important targets for injury, trauma, and/or substance abuse interventions. Specific training in substance abuse issues may be necessary if health care providers are to identify, engage, knowledgably serve, and refer drug abusers for appropriate services.

Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Assess the role of chonic drug use in the probability of serious injury and trauma events.
• Understand and appreciate the various analysis techniques that are available to examine the relationships between chronic drug use and serious health events.
• Indentify the role of public health practicioners and clinicians in health promotion programs for chronic drug users.

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.