Incidence of Acute Conditions in the United States: 1987

Respiratory conditions had the highest incidence rate of all acute conditions (80.1 per 100 persons per year) in the United States in 1987, according to the 1987 National Health Interview Survey. Injuries had the next highest incidence rate (27.0 per 100 persons), followed by infective and parasitic diseases (23.2 per 100 persons). Digestive system conditions had the lowest incidence, with 6.3 conditions reported per 100 persons per year. The incidence rate for all acute conditions was 172.7 per 100 persons in 1987.

The survey also found that all conditions (both acute and chronic) resulted in a total of 14.5 restricted activity days per person in 1987, 6.2 bed days per person, a loss of 5.4 working days per person (employed persons 18+ years) and 4.4 missed school days per person (youths 5-17 years).

An acute condition is defined as an illness or injury lasting less than three months and serious enough to cause a person to cut down on their usual activities for at least half a day and/or to seek medical attention. Respiratory conditions include the common cold, influenza, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Infective and parasitic diseases include common childhood diseases, intestinal virus, viral infections, etc. Digestive system conditions include dental conditions, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, etc. Other conditions include eye, ear, urinary, skin, menstrual and other conditions. Incidence is defined as the number of cases of a disease that had their onset within a specified period of time. A person may have more than one condition during a period of time or may have the same condition more than once (e.g., headache).

Incidence Rates of Acute Conditions in the United States: 1987

                                 Rate per 100
Condition                    Persons per Year


Respiratory Conditions                   80.1
  Common Cold                            25.9
  Influenza                              38.2
  Acute Bronchitis                        3.1
  Pneumonia                               1.5
          
Injuries                                 27.0
  Sprains/Strains                         6.4
  Open Wounds/Lacerations                 5.5
  Contusions                              5.2
  Fractures/Dislocations                  3.3
  
Infective and
Parasitic Diseases                       23.2
  Viral Infections                        8.8
  Intestinal Virus                        4.5
  Common Childhood Diseases               2.0
  
Digestive System 
Conditions                                6.3
  Indigestion, Nausea, Vomiting           3.2
  Dental Conditions                       1.3

All Acute Conditions                    172.7

Source: National Health Interview Survey, National Center for Health Statistics

Filename: PS-025

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