Injury in the Americas: the relative burden and challenge.

Objectives: To present evidence to support a higher priority for injury prevention in initiatives, research, and budget allocations.

Methods: Recent data (2000) for deaths from injury, infectious disease, heart disease, and cancer from 11 countries in the Region of the Americas were analyzed. Analyses focused on: first, Potentially Productive Years of Life Lost (PPYLL, discounted) from deaths occurring from 0-64 years of age; second, Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) from 1-64 years; and third, Years Lived with Disability (YLD). The burdens of injury and infectious disease were compared to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) budget allocations for these areas.

Results: There is a clear-cut disparity between funds allocated and the magnitude of injury burden as compared to the burden of infectious disease.

Conclusions: In making decisions on budgetary allocations, the Member States of PAHO must consider the potential impact of injury research and control on the health of their populations.