Geographic analysis of traffic injury in Wisconsin: impact on case fatality of distance to level I/II trauma care.

Purpose: Traffic injuries are an important public health problem in Wisconsin. This paper examines geographic variations in the incidence and case fatality of traffic injuries, and evaluates proximity to Level I/II trauma care as a predictor of case fatality.

Methods: Data on all persons injured in motor vehicle crashes on Wisconsin roadways during a 10-year period (1992-2001) were obtained from the Wisconsin Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System.