Abstract

FRAADE-BLANAR, Laura; CONCHA-EASTMAN, Alberto  and  BAKER, Timothy. Injury in the Americas: the relative burden and challenge. Rev Panam Salud Publica [online]. 2007, vol.22, n.4, pp. 254-259. ISSN 1020-4989.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1020-49892007000900005.

OBJECTIVES: To present evidence to support a higher priority for injury prevention in initiatives, research, and budget allocations. METHODS: Recent data (2000) for deaths from injury, infectious disease, heart disease, and cancer from 11 countries in the Region of the Americas were analyzed. Analyses focused on: first, Potentially Productive Years of Life Lost (PPYLL, discounted) from deaths occurring from 0-64 years of age; second, Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) from 1-64 years; and third, Years Lived with Disability (YLD). The burdens of injury and infectious disease were compared to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) budget allocations for these areas. RESULTS: There is a clear-cut disparity between funds allocated and the magnitude of injury burden as compared to the burden of infectious disease. CONCLUSIONS: In making decisions on budgetary allocations, the Member States of PAHO must consider the potential impact of injury research and control on the health of their populations.

Keywords : Accident prevention; wounds and injuries; budget; Pan American Health Organization.