The Role of Public Education in Reducing Ladder-Related Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

4 he article in this issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine by D’Souza et al.1 addressing ladder-related injuries treated in U.S. emerency departments sheds light on a leading cause of all-related morbidity and mortality. Data from the U.S. onsumer Product Safety Commission’s National Elecronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) are seldom ined as thoroughly as these authors have managed. mong the key findings of this manuscript are that opulations at disproportionate risk to ladder-related njuries are male and early middle-aged. The most ommon type of injury is a fracture, and the legs and eet are the most common body parts injured. The ospital admission rate of ladder-related falls is twice hat of consumer product–related injuries overall. Given the prevalence and high severity of ladderelated injuries, more public education campaigns are arranted to advise ladder users as to the proper lacement, use, type, and behaviors. Yet relatively little s known about the circumstances of ladder-related falls nd users’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors conerning ladder safety. To help reduce the 180,000 adder injuries and 150 deaths that are reported on verage each year,2 the Home Safety Council (HSC), erner Ladder, and WestCo conducted public opinion esearch to help target their public education efforts. Adults fear falling from tall ladders. According to an mnibus Internet study of 1000 adults, climbing 25 feet igh on an extension ladder causes more anxiety than utting with a sharp knife, using a chainsaw, working ith electricity, public speaking, asking for a raise, alking to children about human sexuality, or getting ulled over by the police.3 One in three adults admits o having fallen or lost their balance on an extension adder. Perhaps home improvement stores might conider hosting ladder safety seminars to allow consumers o practice climbing up and down their extension adders.