African and international health experts step-up efforts to curb violence and injuries
31 MARCH 2006 | GENEVA/DURBAN -- For the first time, a major international conference on the prevention of violence and injury will be held in Africa. The 8th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion will convene Africa's leading public health experts and others from around the world in Durban, South Africa to share the latest scientific knowledge on preventing violence and injury-related death and disability.
In the World Health Organization (WHO) African region, rates of violence and injury are among the world's highest. Based on the most recent estimates from 2002, six of the top 15 causes of death for Africans aged 15-44 years result from injuries: homicides, road traffic injuries, war-related injuries, drownings, suicides and poisonings. Studies show that for South Africans, homicide and road traffic injuries are, respectively, the third and seventh leading causes of death. Across Africa, poverty, income and gender inequality, and a lack of prevention measures at home, work and on the street are key factors that contribute to these high rates.
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, WHO patron for violence prevention, and the 8th World Conference's keynote speaker, comments, “If we summon the will, if we work together, we can build a global commitment to violence and injury prevention and create a peaceful, safe and healthy future."
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/LTIO-6NES5X?OpenDocument
