Southern Africa report

Morbidity and mortality due to injuries have been oYcially recognised as significant public health problems in the high income countries (HICs). However, this is not true for the low income countries (LICs). This lack of recognition is assumed by many to be because of an absence of data regarding injuries and because of the prevalence of a "fatalistic attitude" in the population of these countries. Both these assumptions are probably wrong. If you examine the contents of newspapers in LICs, deaths due to injuries are clearly given a great deal of importance by the public and oYcials and these newspapers carry frequent editorials regarding the lack of safety in their respective societies. These newspapers also report the concern that citizens show by demanding safer roads, schools, and homes. This concern is expressed in the form of letters to the editor, formation of community groups to tackle the problem, and protests in response to tragic events. Some studies also report that poor people spend enormous amounts of money (as a proportion of their incomes) on the treatment of their injuries and other ailments.