Advances in Neurotrauma in Australia 1970‐2000

Abstract

The management of neurotrauma in Australia has been one of the significant public health triumphs during the last 30 years of the 20th century. State and national government agencies act in a coordinated fashion to collect data and to promote research or how to manage neurotrauma patients. Between 1970 and 1995, fatalities from road accidents decreased by 47%. Hospital admissions have decreased by 40% despite a 40% increase in the population and a 120% increase in registered vehicles. Fatalities per 10,000 registered vehicles were 8.05% in 1970 and they fell to 1.84% per vehicles in 1995, while fatalities per 10,000 population were 3 in 1970 falling to 1.11 in 1995. Hospitalization from road crashes decreased 23% between March 1988 and March 1997. Public education has steadily improved, backed by the state public health sources. A uniform code of road safety laws has been adopted, backed by legislation and legal penalties and increasing police enforcement. Clinical care of patients has improved as a result of faster communications, tele-medicine, trauma systems, the CT scanner, intensive care units, and improved monitoring. Patient rehabilitation and counseling are now carried out at units accredited by the Australian Council on Health Care Standards.

Rural Neurotrauma in Australia: Implications for Surgical Training

“…[2][3][4][5] Second, rural neurotrauma is associated with a higher mortality and morbidity than neurotrauma occurring in urban settings. 3,22 Although there have been significant improvements in all aspects of rural neurotrauma management in Australia in the past 30 years, 23 there also continues to be significant deficiencies. 13 Third, dedicated neurosurgical personnel and facilities are rarely available in rural areas.…”

Differential impacts of health care in Australia: trend analysis of socioeconomic inequalities in avoidable mortality

“…50,51 Another example is the reduction in road traffic deaths, which reflect policy initiatives such as national laws regarding seat-belt use and alcohol control, as well as improvements in trauma care for road accident victims. 52 In addition, we cannot rule out inequalities in health care for particular conditions within MCI, as these were not examined separately. Whether due to direct medical care or HPI, formal or informal channels, health care has clearly benefited people across the socioeconomic spectrum.…”

Time for Lifestyle Medicine to Take Injury Prevention Seriously

“…Australia has made great progress in the domain of injury prevention. 23,24,25 Legislative interventions have included strict limits on blood alcohol level (0.05%) and random breath testing. Speed limits have been reduced in many urban areas and are enforced, although convincingly, the territory with the most liberal speed laws has the highest number of fatalities.…”