BJD joins with WHO to host first Global Forum on Trauma Care

Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability globally, particularly in developing countries, where over 90% of trauma deaths occur. Of the five million people who die from trauma each year, it has been estimated that at least two million could be saved by simple improvements in trauma care capabilities. This shocking fact received notable attention in 2007, when the WHO adopted a resolution on trauma and emergency care services, recommending several concrete steps that would help to strengthen trauma care services globally. But while the deaths continue, further progress on this issue has been minimum – until now.

On 28-29 October 2009 WHO and the BJD, with the support of the Ministry of Health of Brazil and the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, hosted the first Global Forum on Trauma Care, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, convening 100 of the world's leading trauma care experts, including representatives of professional societies who deal with trauma or emergency medicine, ministry of health planners whose portfolios include trauma, and other stakeholders. The Global Forum succeeded in drawing greater attention to sustainable improvements in trauma care services which can be applied globally and develop strategies to increase attention to trauma care.

Dr Jeremy Shiffman, Syracuse University, USA, presented his analysis on the factors needed to generate political priority to specific health topics, which then served as a basis for several of the subsequent working groups. Forum participants agreed on a set of strategies and messages around which to advocate in the future and discussed the agenda for action. Dr Etienne Krug, Director, WHO Dept of Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability agreed that the WHO would play a key role in the creation of an alliance involving many of the leading professional associations and NGOs involved in trauma care.

The Global Forum was organised by Dr

Marcos Musafir, trauma specialist from Brazil, and member of the BJD International Steering Committee. Dr Musafir has spent the last year stationed at the WHO in Geneva in the Violence and Injury Prevention Department coordinated by Dr Etienne Krug and Dr Charles Mock. Working with the WHO/BJD Trauma Care Project, Dr Musafir worked to create trauma care guidelines, increase attention to trauma and musculoskeletal care, and empowering member countries to build musculoskeletal and trauma care as one official health priority.