Epidemiology of Injury in Rural India

Injury is defined as - external force / non-contagious substance striking the body or entering into the body and causing anatomical discontinuity of tissue or derange physiological function of the body. According to World Health Organization, an estimated 5.2 million injury-related deaths occurred worldwide in year 2000, comprising almost 9% of all deaths. Data from high-income countries indicate that for every person killed by injury, approximately 30 people are hospitalized for non-fatal injuries, and roughly ten times this number are treated in hospital emergency rooms and later released. Many people who survive their injuries are left with health sequelae, including serious medical complications or permanent disability. Globally, injuries account for 10% of all disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost, and this is projected to possibly increase to 20% by 2020.3 Injury and violence is one of the leading causes for death and disability worldwide, more so in low and middle income countries (LMICs). At least five million people die each year from injuries; almost 25% of these are from South-east Asia region.