Publication: Estimating the Incidence of Road Traffic Fatalities and Injuries in Sri Lanka Using Multiple Data Sources
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Published
2010
ISSN
1745-7300
Date
2012-03-30
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We used data from multiple sources to estimate the incidence of fatal and non-fatal road traffic injuries in Sri Lanka in 2005. We validated the accuracy of the data from the national traffic police by comparing with estimates based on national death registration. For estimating the incidence and patterns of non-fatal injuries, we used a nationally represented health survey (World Health Survey), and data on hospital admissions from a rural setting (Galle district). We estimate that in the year 2005, approximately 2300 people died in Sri Lanka due to road traffic crashes, approximately 300,000 were injured in non-fatal crashes and approximately 140,000 received care for their injuries at hospitals. While the road traffic death rate in Sri Lanka is low compared with other low-income countries, it has been steadily rising for several years. Although young adults are at high risk in non-fatal crashes, the elderly have the highest death rate. Pedestrians and bicyclists account for more than half of all road traffic deaths and riders of motorised two-wheelers accounted for an additional 13%. The government of Sri Lanka should act immediately to stop the needless loss of life by implementing the recommendations of the 2004 World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention.
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Publication Road Traffic Injuries : A Public Health Crisis in MENA(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-12)The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has made dramatic progress in lowering premature death and disability from most communicable, newborn, nutritional, and maternity causes. However, non-communicable diseases are still extremely high. Road traffic injuries, for example, are the fourth leading cause of death in MENA. Compared to other developing countries, the composition of road injury deaths in the MENA region is much greater. This brief sheds light on the occurrences of such road injuries in MENA, and the possible measures to reduce the frequency of these occurrences.Publication The Challenge of Non-Communicable Diseases and Road Traffic Injuries in Sub-Saharan Africa : An Overview(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2013-06)This report draws on a comprehensive review of the literature and on input from policy makers, researchers, and practitioners to address four questions: (1) how is the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and road traffic injuries (RTIs) changing the epidemiology of Sub-Saharan Africa? (2) What determines and drives this burden, and what are the commonalities with communicable diseases? (3) What is the rationale for public intervention? (4) How could resource-constrained governments approach NCD prevention and treatment and road safety in a comprehensive, effective and efficient way? The data show that action against NCDs and RTIs in Sub-Saharan Africa is needed, together with continued efforts to address communicable diseases and maternal and child health as well as to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The report suggests that NCDs and RTIs should not be tackled separately as a vertical program, nor should they displace communicable diseases as priorities. Instead, given resource constraints, and some shared determinants, characteristics, and interventions, there is scope for an integrated approach focusing on functions (prevention, treatment, and care) rather than on disease categories. Examples are cited of potential opportunities to integrate and add NCD prevention and treatment into existing services and programs. Proven, cost-effective, prevention interventions are clearly needed, many of which (such as tobacco and alcohol taxes, road safety measures, and fuel-efficient ventilated cook-stoves) require action beyond the health sector. These can deliver broader development benefits in addition to their benefits for health. Selective, evidence-based actions to reduce NCDs and RTIs will address the changing disease burden in Africa and achieve a more sustainable improvement in health outcomes, more efficient use of resources, and better equity across patients and populations.Publication The Burden of Road Traffic Injuries in Jordan(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2024-08-01)Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a critical public health issue in Jordan, as highlighted in the 2022 Annual Report on Road Traffic Injuries. With 169,409 crashes recorded, resulting in 562 deaths and a range of injuries, RTIs have emerged as the leading cause of death for children and young people, and the second-leading cause for adults aged 20-64. This study aims to understand RTI-induced disabilities in Jordan, identify contributing factors, and assess the associated costs for patients. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research included quantitative and qualitative data collection through hospital-based surveillance and follow-up surveys at one- and three-months post-injury. Six hospitals across Jordan participated, including both public and private institutions. Key informant interviews with stakeholders from various sectors were conducted to gain comprehensive insights. The study’s findings reveal that most RTI patients were male (79 percent) with an average age of 34 years. Crashes predominantly occurred during early mornings and night hours on main roads, involving mainly cars (72 percent) and motorcycles/bicycles (40 percent). A significant number of patients (74 percent) received prehospital care, primarily from ambulance staff. Most patients (66 percent) were fully conscious upon arrival at the emergency room. Injury analysis showed that 58 percent of patients had a single injury, with extremities being the most affected area. Common treatments included sutures and surgical operations, with internal fixation for fractures being prevalent. Financially, 49 percent of patients incurred immediate costs upon hospital admission, and follow-up care also resulted in out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for physiotherapy and medications. Disability outcomes indicated that 79 percent of patients experienced some disability at the one-month follow up, with varying degrees from mild to extreme. By the third month, 73 percent reported no disability, though 26 percent continued to experience mild impairments. This study underscores the significant burden of RTIs in Jordan, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce injuries and support affected individuals.Publication The Burden of Road Traffic Injuries in Brazil: Evidence for Policy(Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-09-08)In 2023, Brazil recorded more than 34,000 fatalities due to road traffic injuries (RTIs). Most of the victims were traveling by motorcycle. This assessment of the burden of RTIs, disabilities, and deaths consists of: (1) a road safety analysis using available official data in Brazil; (2) a computation of globally recognized metrics for assessing the burden of disease, including years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); (3) a comprehensive cost analysis of traffic crashes in Brazil to estimate expenses related to medical care, hospital stays, production losses, human and administrative costs, property damage, and other traffic-related costs; and (4) the collection and analysis of primary data on RTIs from hospital surveillance and the monitoring of crash victims after hospital discharge—as assessed one and three months after discharge. Key findings from assessing the burden of RTIs in Brazil using global metrics found that, in 2021–22, RTIs and associated deaths resulted in 1.7 million YLL, 637,000 YLD, and 2.34 million DALYs in Brazil. Males accounted for the majority of the total DALYs at 83.7 percent. Motorcyclists contributed to 55.5 percent of total male DALYs, and 39.0 percent of DALYs among women. An estimate of the total costs of road traffic crashes in Brazil—factoring in medical expenses, hospital care, production losses, human costs, administrative expenses, property damage, and other costs—reveals that the total cost of traffic crashes in Brazil is an estimated US$61.3 billion per year, representing 3.8 percent of GDP. Intangible human costs represent 57 percent of the total cost, while production losses make up 17 percent of the total cost. Based on these and other findings from hospital surveys, the study recommends that Brazilian policymakers: (1) embrace road safety as a high political commitment; (2) shift road design culture and practice; (3) implement evidence-based policy from data-driven analysis; and (4) manage exposure through safer modal split.Publication Traffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2021-02-16)Road crashes endanger the lives and livelihoods of millions of road users globally and in India. Owing to the epidemic of road crashes, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2011 - 2020 as the "Decade of Action for Road Safety" and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included two important targets on road safety. The risk of a road crash in low-income countries is three times higher than compared to that in high-income countries. Not only does it lead to untold and unaccounted for suffering and loss for victims and their families, but also, it drains the GDP of countries by claiming millions of economically productive young lives. The World Bank estimates the total cost of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) at 172 billion dollars (INR 12.9 lakh crore) for the year 2016. While it is recognized that RTIs affect the developed and developing world in different ways, it also impacts poor households and disadvantaged sections of the population within developing countries differently. World Bank commissioned a survey-based assessment study in association with the Save LIFE Foundation (SLF) to determine such differential impacts more objectively in India. This study aims to capture the socioeconomic realities and nuances of road crashes at the sub-national level in India. It seeks to document inter-linkages between poverty, inequalities, road users, and road crash outcomes by analyzing data from four States in India, i.e., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar ,Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The four states have been selected on the basis of several criteria including demographic and geographical representation, magnitude of fatality burden and socio-economic parameters such as economic growth, poverty rate and social welfare. One state from each of the four geographical zones of the country were selected which cumulatively represents about one third of total road crash deaths in the country. In terms of economic parameters, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are selected to represent High Capacity States (HCS) whereas Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are selected to represent Low Capacity States (LCS).
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