Traffic accidents have become a major public health problem in Uruguay, a middle-income country with a population of 3.2 million people. The increasing incidence of traffic accidents has been responsible for a rise in premature mortality and chronic disability, expenses in health care, property damage, and lost productivity. In 1992, 341 persons, and in 1995, 501 died as a consequence of traffic accidents. By 1999, it was expected that 700 would die for the same reason. Trying to slow or reverse this trend, a traffic accident control and prevention program was established in 1998 by the government. Comprehensive interventions were launched, such as public awareness campaigns, improvements in law enforcement, better cooperation with the justice system and improvements in road conditions. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions, we first estimate the changes in life lost due to premature mortality since 1998. Two methods commonly used were applied for these calculations: Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS). Secondly, we analyze the economic implications of such changes for the country. Finally, we describe the relevant characteristics that explain the effectiveness or failure of the program, and discuss their applicability for other middle-income countries.
Learning Objectives: 1- To estimate changes in premature mortality as a consequence of traffic crashes in Uruguay since the implementation of the control and prevention program of1998. 2- To analyze the economic implications of such changes for the country. 3- To describe the relevant characteristics that explain the effectiveness or failure of the program, and discuss their applicability in other middle-income countries.
Keywords: International Public Health, Motor Vehicles
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.