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Paper Title:
The epidemiology of road
traffic injuries worldwide: what exists, gaps and the role of public
health
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Authors:
Robyn Norton, A. Hyder,
M. Peden
Abstract:
WHO recently held a consultation
to develop a five year strategy aimed at reducing the current and
predicted global burden of road traffic injuries. A background paper
was prepared for the consultation outlining current knowledge and
gaps in knowledge about the global burden of road traffic injuries
and known risk factors for these injuries. The potential role of
the public health community in addressing these gaps was considered,
with a specific focus on gaps in knowledge in lower income countries
where the burden of road traffic injuries is greatest.
Worldwide, estimates
of road traffic injury deaths range from 0.75-1.17 million, with
the numbers projected to increase to 2.3 million by 2020. By 2020,
90% of these deaths will be occurring in low and middle income countries.
Knowledge about road traffic injury morbidity, disability and costs
is lacking and little information is available about those road
users at greatest risk of injury. While considerable research has
identified risk factors for injury in highly motorised countries,
little research has been conducted in less motorised countries.
The public health community has an important role to play in addressing
the global burden of road traffic injuries - in collaboration with
those in the transport sector. Given limited resources, efforts
will need to focus particularly on the identification of sustainable
solutions in lower income countries.
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