Changes in the causes of trauma in the last 20 years

Abstract

Trauma is the third largest cause of death world-wide. In 1990, it caused 10% of all deaths. As it particularly affects young people, trauma is the biggest cause of economic loss and potential years of life lost. Furthermore, for every death there are at least two cases of permanent disability. Trauma is likely to touch all our lives, to a greater or lesser extent. Over the past 20 years, the total number of deaths from injury has fallen across the world despite a concomitant rise in the population. However, this decrease has occurred mainly in developed countries. Elsewhere, death rates due to injury have been increasing since the mid-1980s. Even in developed countries, violent deaths are assuming increasing importance as infectious and parasitic diseases are no longer so prominent. The causes of violent death vary over time. This article will look at trends in these changes over the past two decades.