Trauma Research Funding: An Emergency in Emergency Care

Trauma remains a significantly underfunded area of medical research despite its status as a leading cause of death and substantial economic burden in the United States. This study explores the disparity in trauma research funding, focusing on Oklahoma compared to neighboring and populous states. Usi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-08, Vol.16 (8), p.e67748
Main Authors: Goodwin, Robert, Parikh, Sarthak, Hendrix, Christopher, Norris, Brent, Cheruvu, Mani
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic illnesses
Congenital diseases
Diabetes
Disease control
Disease prevention
Emergency medical care
Emergency Medicine
Fatalities
Heart
Infectious diseases
Liver diseases
Orthopedics
Patients
Research funding
Sexually transmitted diseases
STD
Trauma
Tuberculosis
Tumors
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Summary:Trauma remains a significantly underfunded area of medical research despite its status as a leading cause of death and substantial economic burden in the United States. This study explores the disparity in trauma research funding, focusing on Oklahoma compared to neighboring and populous states. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS™) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s RePORT databases, we analyzed age-adjusted years of potential life lost (YPLL) due to trauma and corresponding NIH funding across different states and nationally. Statistical analyses included bivariate comparisons and standardization of funding data per population and YPLL. From 2010 to 2020, NIH allocated approximately $124 billion nationally, with only 5% dedicated to trauma, amounting to $1,772.32 per age-adjusted YPLL. Oklahoma and Kansas exhibited the lowest NIH funding per YPLL compared to New York and California. Funding for the National Injury Prevention and Control, a subdivision of the CDC, has shown significant increases, ranking third in 2022. This study highlights the urgent need for enhanced trauma research funding to address its disproportionate impact on mortality and healthcare costs. Strategic allocation of resources is essential to advance trauma care and align research priorities with public health needs.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.67748