TY - JOUR PY - 2016// TI - Estimated trends and patterns of road traffic fatalities in China, 2002-2012 JO - Traffic injury prevention A1 - Wang, Chong-Wen A1 - Chan, Cecilia L. W. SP - 164 EP - 169 VL - 17 IS - 2 N2 - OBJECTIVE: This study examined the time trends and age-distribution patterns of estimated road traffic fatalities (RTFs) in China over the period 2002-2012.

METHODS: Data on age-, sex-, and region-specific RTF rates were provided by the Chinese Ministry of Health. The crude rates were standardized and the Mann-Kendall test was used to test the significance of time trends. Annual number of RTFs was calculated. To minimize the effect of yearly variations, magnitude of changes in and age-distribution patterns of the RTFs were examined using mean values of two years.

RESULTS: RTFs increased significantly in China during the study period. Several features were identified for the RTFs in China. First, RTF rates skyrocketed in rural areas including towns and counties. Second, a significant increase of RTFs was also observed in cities even though the change of the RTF rates was not statistically significant there. Third, individuals aged 20-24, 40-49, and 55-64, especially in rural areas, were particularly at risk for RTFs in recent years. Finally, RTFs became more common among middle-aged and older adults than young Chinese, with roughly 57% of all RTFs occurring among individuals aged 45 and above during 2011-2012.

CONCLUSIONS: RTFs increased dramatically in China during the past decade, especially in rural areas. Age-distribution patterns of RTFs have changed there. Community- based public health education and intervention programs are warranted.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1538-9588 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2015.1045501 ID - ref1 ER -