Spring 2008 Editorial

Editorial
Injury Prevention is a Global Movement

Last month’s World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion in Merida, Mexico, was the first one held in a Spanish speaking country, and by all accounts, it was a great success. There were more than 1,000 participants from over 120 countries.

There was an entire session devoted to exploring research trends in the two-wheeled vehicle safety. The papers presented in that session – although specific they specific communities – demonstrated the universality of the issues we face in promoting the use of helmets worldwide. Three papers from Nigeria (1, 2, 3) examined the pattern of motorcycle injuries in Jos, the economic costs associated with commercial motorcycle crashes in Oyo State, and the overall pattern of motorcycle crashes in a community. These studies showed costs from motorcycle injuries were considerable and that helmet law enforcement could increase helmet use and reduce injuries. From India (4), Gururaj described the barriers to the promotion of helmets in the Karnataka state where even though a helmet wearing law had been passed, there was little compliance. Some of the barriers were political unwillingness to enforce the law, lack of commitment from some governmental agencies, non-cooperation by the public, and the cost of helmets, as well as issues of helmet quality. To overcome these barriers, a community-wide effort was launched and was successful.

The enthusiasm of the conference participants – some had never attended an international meeting before – was electric, and the conference sparked in them – and in all of us – the desire to refocus and sustain our efforts to prevent injuries and promote helmet use.

As always, we look forward to your comments and contributions to Headlines.

Philip L. Graitcer, facilitator
WHO Helmet Initiative

1. Ramlan M. Pattern of motorcycle injuries in Jos, Nigeria. Abstract #470. Safety 2008, Merida.
2. Adesola S. Economic costs of motorcycle injuriy among crash-involve commercial motorcyclists in Oyo state, Nigeria. Abstract #483. Safety 2008, Merida.
3. Abdulrasheed N. Motorcycle transport: a serious threat to road safety in a community in sub-Saharan Africa. Abstract #1240. Safety 2008, Merida.
4. Gururaj G. Helmet legislation and enforcement in Karnataka, India – challenges and opportunities. Abstract #1441. Safety 2008, Merida.

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