Understanding the extent and impact of Indigenous road trauma

Authors

Kathleen F. Clapham, University of WollongongFollow
Mark StevensonFollow
Marilyn Lyford, The George Institute for International HealthFollow
Rebecca Ivers, The University Of SydneyFollow
Teresa Senserrick, The University Of SydneyFollow

RIS ID

25768

Publication Details

Clapham, K. F., Senserrick, T., Ivers, R., Lyford, M. & Stevenson, M. (2008). Understanding the extent and impact of Indigenous road trauma. Injury: International Journal of the Care of the Injured, 39 (Supplement 5), 519-523.

Abstract

While transport-related injuries represent a leading cause of death for all Australians, several disparities exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. Compared to non-Indigenous Australians, Indigenous Australians are more than twice as likely to have a transport-related fatal injury, with fatality risk remaining high with age while declining among the non-Indigenous community. Few studies and appropriate databases exist to elucidate the causes and solutions to this over-representation. This paper presents a summary of known risk factors, discusses the impact of road injury at multiple levels and suggests steps towards addressing this significant public health problem.