Injury
The aim of the Injury Division is to conduct high quality, policy relevant research into the causes, prevention and treatment options for various kinds of injury. In keeping with a public health approach to injury prevention. our work encompasses research on a range of topics from surveillance, observational and intervention studies through to program evaluation and policy research.
The Division is headed by Associate Professor Rebecca Ivers.
Overview
Injury prevention research at The George Institute has a primary focus on:
However, we are also engaged in research on:
Each of these topics is significant in light of the growing global impact of injury on mortality and morbidity.
The Division also offers training programs in subjects such as injury prevention and injury epidemiology.
Why Road Traffic Injury Prevention?
Road traffic injuries are a growing public health problem, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. Globally nearly 1.2 million people die and between 20 million and 50 million people are injured or disabled as a result of road traffic injuries each year. The majority of road traffic deaths occur in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia.
By 2020, road traffic injuries are expected to become the sixth leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide, with about 90% of this burden occurring in low and middle-income countries.
New Projects
Northern Territory Road Safety Research and Policy Project
The focus of this work is to provide the Northern Territory Government with strategic road safety research and policy advice.
Heavy Vehicle Study
This important study aims to examine the associations between sleep, scheduling and shift-work in heavy vehicle drivers, and risk of crash.
Ongoing Projects
Young Driver Cohort Study - DRIVE
DRIVE is a prospective cohort study of over 20,000 young NSW drivers investigating potential determinants of motor vehicle related crashes and injuries.
Recently Completed Projects
Driver Distraction and Road Crashes
This cross-over study indicated that use of a mobile phone while driving increased the likelihood of a road crash resulting in hospital attendance by fourfold. Currently available hands-free devices did not mitigate the risk.
China Initiatives
China Seatbelt Intervention
This intervention examined the effectiveness of a city wide enforcement, social marketing and training intervention designed to increase seatbelt restraint use in Guangzhou, China.
Motorcycle Helmet Use
A multi-centre study which will examine the use of non standard motorcycle helmets in ten countries worldwide.
New Initiatives
New initiatives are currently in progress or in planning with colleagues in China, India and Vietnam. A review of novice driver education, training and licensing practices is underway in China. Heavy vehicle and motorcycle helmet projects are under development in both China and India, as well as a number of road safety research projects in the South East Asian region.