Relationship between economic development and risk of injuries in older adults and the elderly

• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cki014
• Publication Date: 2005-07-21T20:13:31Z
• Authors: Syed Moniruzzaman; Ragnar Andersson
• Keywords: Per capita income; Epidemiological transition; Age groups

Background: Injury is recognized as an important public health problem not only in high-income countries, but also low- and middle-income countries. Other studies have shown inverse association between economic development unintentional injury mortality (UIM) among children young adults. In this study we aimed to examine the UIM rates 45+ years-old populations within theoretical framework of epidemiologic transition. Methods: The World Health Statistics Annual 1996 was used main source data. relationship gross national product (GNP) per capita studied by using two methods: (i) with regression analysis, (ii) categorizing data four income-based country groups comparison differences their mean values. ages were divided into sub-groups: 45–54 years, 55–64 65–74 years 75+ years. Results: inversely correlated GNP 45–54, year-olds for both sexes. On other hand, sexes, positive (male, r = 0.234, female, 0.337). Conclusion: Our suggests that shows deviating patterns across age groups. exhibits declining younger which consistent what could be expected from transition model, while injuries older appear increase development. These findings imply injury, a whole, homogeneous phenomenon epidemiological perspective.