Extracts from Global Health Now and a comment from me below. Read online: https://mailchi.mp/cd145a14fad2/global-health-now-africas-growing-toll-o...
The number of people who died in traffic incidents in Africa rose by 17% in the past decade, despite global road traffic deaths falling by 5%, according to the World Health Organization.
The Road Safety report found that nearly one in five fatal traffic incidents across the world occurred in Africa...
Road traffic incidents are the ninth most common cause of death in Africa, according to the WHO.
“About 10 years ago we saw a big increase in motorcycles in Kenya, more motorcycles were being imported than cars,” said Gladys Nyachieo, a sociologist at the Multimedia University of Kenya, who researches mobility. “Very quickly we saw an increase in motorcycle-related accidents. Some hospitals opened dedicated wards for motorcycle-accident victims.”...
Campaigners say many motorbike riders fail to wear effective helmets, putting them at greater risk...
Some drivers were using helmets mended with staples, glue or tape. “A helmet like this is no better than papier-mache.”
COMMENT (NPW): To what extent do motorcyclists understand the risks of riding without a helmet, or with a helmet 'no better than papier-mache'? For many, perhaps they will only know when they suffer a serious head injury, or when they see a friend die from such an injury.
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org
