Deaths and injuries from falls at border wall on the rise

Summary

Doctors at UC San Diego Health are warning about a public health crisis linked to the U.S.-Mexico border wall. After the wall's height increased in 2019, fall-related injuries and deaths surged, with 375 admissions for trauma from 2019 to 2021, compared to just 67 before. The rise in falls from greater heights has overwhelmed hospital resources, leading to a strain on ICU beds and operating rooms. Many patients lack health insurance, further complicating the financial burden. These dangerous attempts to scale the wall are driven by individuals fleeing political persecution and seeking better opportunities in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 The height increase of the U.S./Mexico border wall in 2019 to 30 feet has led to a significant rise in fall-related injuries and deaths.
• 😀 Between 2019 and 2021, 375 people were admitted to UC San Diego Health for fall-related trauma, compared to just 67 before the wall height increase.
• 😀 There were 16 reported deaths due to falls from the border wall between 2019 and 2021.
• 😀 The higher wall creates more dangerous conditions for those attempting to climb, resulting in more severe injuries.
• 😀 Trauma from falls has overwhelmed hospital resources, including operating rooms and ICU beds, affecting both trauma patients and the local community.
• 😀 The increase in trauma cases due to the border wall has created financial strain on hospitals, particularly because many patients lack health insurance.
• 😀 Dr. Amy Lippert, a trauma surgeon, emphasizes the need for more resources and funding to support both border-crossing patients and the local population.
• 😀 Despite the risks, many people continue attempting to cross the border due to socio-political pressures in their home countries, including fleeing persecution or seeking a better life.
• 😀 Hospitals are seeing a higher volume of patients needing extensive medical care, including surgeries for severe fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
• 😀 Dr. Lippert stresses the importance of public education and warnings to deter people from attempting dangerous crossings of the border wall.

Q & A

What is the main issue raised by doctors in San Diego regarding public health?

Doctors in San Diego are raising concerns about an immigration-related public health crisis, specifically focusing on an increase in fall-related injuries and deaths since the U.S./Mexico border wall was raised in 2019.

How has the number of fall-related injuries changed since the border wall height increased?

Since the border wall height was increased in 2019, the number of fall-related injuries and deaths rose significantly. Between 2019 and 2021, 375 people were admitted to UC San Diego Health for trauma from a fall, compared to only 67 in the same period before the wall height was increased.

What were the findings of the study conducted at UC San Diego Health regarding fall-related trauma?

The study revealed a dramatic rise in fall-related injuries and deaths following the increase in the border wall height. Between 2019 and 2021, there were 375 admissions for fall trauma, compared to 67 before the height increase, with 16 reported deaths in that period.

Why did the increase in the border wall height result in more severe injuries?

The rise in the wall height from a range of 9 to 17 feet to 30 feet means that individuals who attempt to climb the wall fall from greater heights, resulting in more energy upon impact and, consequently, more severe injuries.

What are the impacts of the increased number of fall-related injuries on local hospitals?

The increased number of fall-related injuries places significant strain on hospitals, leading to more patients in trauma centers, increased demand for operating rooms, and a greater need for ICU beds to treat severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and fractures.

How does the lack of health insurance exacerbate the situation for both patients and hospitals?

The lack of health insurance for many patients exacerbates the financial burden on hospitals, making it harder to provide care. This also strains hospital resources, as uninsured patients may not be able to cover the costs of their treatment, further impacting the system.

What is the key message that Dr. Amy Lippert wants to share with the public and medical community?

Dr. Lippert's key message is to raise awareness about the dangers of attempting to climb the border wall, which can result in severe injuries. She stresses the importance of ensuring there are sufficient resources and funding for both these patients and the local community.

What is the main reason people continue to take the risks associated with climbing the border wall?

While not part of the study, it is believed that individuals risk climbing the border wall to escape political, social, or economic problems in their home countries, hoping for a better life in the United States.

What type of injuries are commonly treated in hospitals due to falls from the border wall?

Common injuries from falls include severe fractures, particularly of the legs, as well as traumatic brain injuries, which often require hospitalization and sometimes multiple surgeries.

What role does the political climate play in the rise of injuries related to border crossings?

The political climate contributes to the rise in injuries, as many individuals facing persecution or difficult living conditions in their home countries attempt to cross the border in search of a better life, despite the risks involved in climbing the wall.