Title: ROAD SAFETY - KEY INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ISSUE

Author:

Section/SPIG: International Health

Issue Date:

---

World Health Day 2004 (April 7) focused on a cause of more than a million deaths around the world each year -- road traffic injuries (<www.who.int>). Road safety was the theme of this global event to try and focus international attention on this neglected public health burden.

The majority of the deaths from road traffic injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries, and the poor are disproportionately affected by mortality, morbidity and often long-term disability. It is predicted that if nothing is done to curb this burden, it will become the third leading cause of death and disability by the year 2020.

A number of efforts are being made around the world in this regard, and we hope that the IH Section will also join the global community to focus attention on this issue. The section is also hoping to partner with the Injury Control Section to have some joint activities in this regard. Please contact Adnan Hyder if you are interested in contributing in this area of work.