Facial trauma in the largest city in Latin America, São Paulo, 15 years after the enactment of the compulsory seat belt law.
Traffic accidents are a reality throughout Brazil. The face is one of the anatomic parts most affected by these accidents, especially when a seat belt is not used. These accidents are costly for the public health system and have a significant impact on society and the lives of families involved. The compulsory use of seat belts in Brazil, especially in São Paulo, has decreased the rate of facial trauma. This suggests that the public health policies and measures adopted by the Brazilian authorities have benefited the population 15 years after the enactment of the law of compulsory seat belts in the city of São Paulo.
Programa de Residência em Cirurgia e Traumatologia Buco-Maxilo-Facial, Hospital Geral Vila Nova Cachoeirinha, Universidade Bandeirante de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. tpbarros@uol.com.br
Tarley Eloy Pessoa de
TE
Barros
Gabriel Denser
GD
Campolongo
Talita
T
Zanluqui
Dayane
D
Duarte
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data