Mortality due to road traffic injuries in older adults in the Republic of Ecuador between 1990 and 2018: a descriptive study

Abstract

The present study aimed to estimate the trend in road traffic injury mortality in older adults (60 years of age or older) and comparison with those <60 years of age in Ecuador (1990-2018). Official death records and population projections were used to calculate mortality rates per 100,000 population, rate ratios, years of potential life lost (YPLL), and trends. Those under 60 years of age had mortality rates of 16.7 (per 100,000) compared to 36.2 (per 100,000) for older adults, with an increasing trend in YPLL. Older adults recorded fewer deaths than the younger population. However, it is necessary to develop road safety strategies oriented to the progressive aging of the Ecuadorian population.

Keywords: older adults, traffic accidents, mortality, trends, Ecuador.

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