Abstract

CAVALCANTE, Fátima Gonçalves; MORITA, Patrícia Alessandra  and  HADDAD, Sonia Rodrigues. Invisible sequels of traffic accident: the post-traumatic stress disorder as a public health problem. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.5, pp. 1763-1772. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232009000500017.

This document consolidates the results of the Seminar "Invisible Squeals of Traffic Accidents" carried out as part of the Project "Social and Economic Impacts of Traffic Accidents in Brazilian Highways". To begin with, the characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder related to traffic accidents are identified, as well as its potential victims, symptoms, diagnosis, as well as risk and protection factors for the development of the disease. Next, follows a brief description of projects and research developed in Brazil and abroad in the field. Finally, post-traumatic stress disorder is analyzed as a matter of Public Health and policy recommendations are presented as a suggestion to reduce the sociopsychological consequences of traffic accidents violence.

Keywords : Post-traumatic stress disorder; Traffic accidents; Public health.