Citation

Schmucker U, Seifert J, Stengel D, Matthes G, Ottersbach C, Ekkernkamp A. Unfallchirurg 2010; 113(5): 373-377.

Vernacular Title

Verkehrsunfalle in Entwicklungslandern.

Affiliation

Abt. Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Unfallforschung Greifswald, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, Sauerbruchstrasse, 17475, Greifswald, Deutschland, uli.schmucker@uni-greifswald.de.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00113-010-1777-9

PMID

20376616

Abstract

Road traffic crashes pose a major threat to individuals and national health systems. Developing countries account for 48% of motorized vehicles, but for 91% of the 1.3 million fatalities per annum. While ranked ninth among the causes of disabilities adjusted life years lost in 2004, crash injuries are projected to rise to third position by 2030. This article reviews current prognoses of deaths and disabilities, the characteristics of crashes in low and middle income countries and evidence-based road safety interventions. This article is considered a wake-up call for trauma, orthopaedic, and emergency surgeons in high-income countries to join the global community in fighting the neglected yet potentially curable epidemic named road traffic injuries.

Language: de