Epidemiology of Burn Injuries and Burn Care

The science of epidemiology is of great importance, as the patterns of burn injury can lead to more concentrated efforts for both prevention and treatment. The goal of this chapter is not to attempt an exhaustive review of burn epidemiology, but rather to utilize some basic epidemiologic data to convey several important points that strengthen the premise and purpose of this book. These data will demonstrate the following: 1. Burns remain a significant mechanism of injury. 2. Most burns are nonfatal and are minor in terms of size (i.e., total body surface area). 3. Knowledge of the common causes and circumstances of burn injuries provides a greater understanding of the patterns sustained by each specific etiology, as well as providing targets for burn prevention in our local communities. 4. General surgeons have a role in the treatment of burn injuries, but they need to recognize those injuries that require referral to a burn center.