May 30, 2014 – Traffic Deaths

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ANCHOR LEAD: DEATHS DUE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE MUCH MORE COMMON THAN YOU MAY THINK, ELIZABETH TRACEY REPORTS

Traffic fatalities are in the top ten when it comes to causes of death worldwide, a recent WHO or World Health Organization document reveals, keeping company with chronic and infectious diseases, yet absolutely modifiable. Michael Klag, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, comments.

KLAG:The WHO recommends that we develop much better data systems to track the health impact of automobiles and trucks. And they make the case throughout this report that their data based on the burden of disease study are really an underestimate.  But that said we know what works.  We know that creating safer cars, use of seat belts, airbags, having roads that are safe, we know a lot about design of roads, design of automobiles and we need to apply those kinds of standards around the world. :31

Klag says the burden of illness known to be related to motor vehicles is also staggering.  At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.