[Mortality due to traffic injuries and its impact on life expectancy: a comparison between Mexico and Spain].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of mortality due to motor vehicle traffic injuries (MVTI) compared with other causes of death on life expectancy in Mexico and Spain during the three-year periods 2000-2002 and 2010-2012 and the weight of the different age groups in years of life expectancy lost (YLEL) due to this cause.


METHODS
Based on official death and population data, abridged life tables in Mexico and Spain were constructed for the three-year periods studied. Temporary life expectancy and YLEL for persons aged 15 to 75 years were calculated by selected causes (MVTI, diabetes mellitus, malignant neoplasms and ischemic heart diseases) and age groups in each three-year period.


RESULTS
In Spain, YLEL decreased in both sexes from all the causes studied, especially MVTI; this reduction was greater in the younger ages. In addition, temporary life expectancy increased. In Mexico, YLEL due to MVTI increased in men, mainly in young people, and remained unchanged among women. Temporary life expectancy declined in men but increased slightly among women.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction in YLEL due to MVTI in Spain has contributed to increased life expectancy. By contrast, the increase in YLEL due to MVTI among Mexican men has contributed to the decline in male life expectancy.
Centro de Estudios en Salud, Población y Desarrollo Humano, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Electronic address: ggonzal@cencar.udg.mx.
Guillermo Julián
GJ
González-Pérez
Centro de Estudios en Salud, Población y Desarrollo Humano, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
María Guadalupe
MG
Vega-López
Centro de Estudios en Salud, Población y Desarrollo Humano, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.
Carlos Enrique
CE
Cabrera-Pivaral
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D055815:Young Adult
Accidentes de tráfico; España; Esperanza de vida; Injury; Lesión; Life expectancy; Mexico; Mortalidad; Mortality; México; Spain; Traffic accidents