S-1990-01-1990_OVE
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L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE, INC . LAASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL, INC
P.D. BOX: 69
cable Address
WOMEDAS. FERNEY·YOLTAfRE
. Oct.obez 1990
·THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. INC.
28, AVENUE DES ALPES • 01210 FERNEY·YOLTAIRi • FRANCE
Telephone: 50 40 75 75
Telex: 585755F WMASFV1=
Tel.,.: SO 40 51 57
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Original: English
WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION DECLARATION
OD
INJURY CONTROL
Adopted by the 42nd World Medical Assembly
Rancho Mirage, CA., USA, October 1990
The World Medical Association, having studied the issues relating
to injuries and injury control at its Scientific Session held in
Hong’ Kong in September, 1989, urges its National Medical Associations
to work with all of the appropriate pUblic and private agencies in
each country to develop and implement a program to control and prevent
injuries. Included in the program must be efforts to improve medical
treatment and the rehabilitation of injured patients. Research and
injuries. Included. in the program mu·st be efforts to -i mpr ove medical
treatment and the rehabilitation of injured patients. Research and
education on injury control must be increased, and international
cooperation is a vital and necessary component of a successful project.
The World
Associations
programs.
Medical Association
to incorporate the
encourages its National Medical
following basic elements into their
1. INTRODUCTION
Injuries are the leading . cause of death and disability in children
and young adults. Injuries destroy the health, lives and
livelihoods of many millions of people each year. Yet injuries
are preventable. Opportunities are available to understand and
prevent injuries. Lives can be saved and improved by taking
advantage of such opportunities. Injury control should be
recognized as a priority public health project requiring
coordination among health, transportation and social servicE
agencies in each country. Physician participation and leadershi~
is necessary to assure the success of such a project.
2. EPIDEMIOLOGY
The initial effort of such a project, must be the acquisitioI
of more adequate data on which to base priorities, interventione
and research. An effective injury surveillance system shoulc
be implemented in each country to gather and integrate information.
A consistent and accurate system for coding injuries must bE
implemented by hospitals and health agencies. There should alse
be uniform coding of injury severity.
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3. PREVENTION
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Injury prevention requires education and training to teach and
persuade people to alter their behavior and thereby control their
risk of injury. Laws and regulations should be enacted requiring
changes in behavior based on scientifically sound · methods of
preventing injuries. These laws must be strictly enforced in
order to effectively influence behavior changes. Improvements
in product and environmental design of various products to provide
automatic protection against injuries must be encouraged, as
they will be the most effective means of preventing injuries. .
4 • BIOMECHANICS
Biomedical research on injury causation and prevention should
be given priority. A better understanding of the biomechanics
of injury and disability could enable the development of improved
protection for humans. Requlations pertaining to product design
must incorporate product safety ·· standards developed from an
improved understanding of the biomechanics of injury.
5. TREATMENT
Injury management at the scene of the occurrence must be enhanced
by an effective system of communication with medical practitioners,
to facilitate decision-making. Rapid and safe transportation
to the hospital must be provided. An experienced team of trauma
practitioners must be available at the hospital• .There must also
be adequate equipment and supplies available for the care of
the injured patient, including immediate access to a blood bank.
Education and training of medical practitioners in trauma care
must be encouraged to assure optimal techniaJle __bv_ an, ..aa.eauate
Education and training of medical practitioners in trauma care
must be encouraged to assure optimal technique by an adequate
number of physicians at all times.
6. REHABILITATION
Trauma victims need a continuity of care emphasizing not only
survival but also the identification and preservation of residual
functions. Rehabilitation to restore biologic, psychologic and
social functions must be undertaken in an effort to allow · ”
injured person to achieve maximal personal autonomy and ~
independent lifestyle. Every effort must be made to help the
patient (and family) avoid institutionalization. Rehabilitation
may also require changes in the patient t s physical and social
environment.
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