title: Reducing inequalities from injuries in Europe.
abstract: Injuries cause 9% of deaths and 14% of ill health in the WHO European Region. This problem is neglected; injuries are often seen as part of everyday life. However, although western Europe has good safety levels, death and disability from injury are rising in eastern Europe. People in low-to-middle-income countries in the Region are 3.6 times more likely to die from injuries than those in high-income countries. Economic and political change have led to unemployment, income inequalities, increased traffic, reduced restrictions on alcohol, and loss of social support. Risks such as movement of vulnerable populations and transfer of lifestyles and products between countries also need attention. In many countries, the public-health response has been inadequate, yet the cost is devastating to individuals and health-service budgets. More than half a million lives could be saved annually in the Region if recent knowledge could be used to prevent injuries and thus redress social injustice in this area.
authors.affiliation: Accidents, Transport and Health, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, Special Programme on Health and Environment, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Rome 00187, Italy. din@ecr.euro.who.int
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Racioppi
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baumgarten
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bertollini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014944:World Health Organization; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control