Informing road traffic intervention choices in South Africa

The role of economic evaluations

Bibliographic Data

ID19530639
AuthorsHadley K H Wesson (Johns Hopkins University), Nkuli Boikhutso (University of the Witwatersrand), Adnan A Hyder (0000-0002-7292-577X, Johns Hopkins University), Melanie Bertram (0000-0002-7641-8943, University of the Witwatersrand), Karen Hofman (0000-0001-9512-7220, South African Medical Research Council, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume9
Issue1
Pages30728-30728
Publication date2016-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Health Action (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3402/gha.v9.30728
PMID27396485
OpenAlexW2473493361
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited35

INTRODUCTION: Given the burden of road traffic injuries (RTIs) in South Africa, economic evaluations of prevention interventions are necessary for informing and prioritising public health planning and policy with regard to road safety. METHODS: In view of the dearth of RTI cost analysis, and in order to understand the extent to which RTI-related costs in South Africa compare with those in other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we reviewed published economic evaluations of RTI-related prevention in LMICs. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were identified, including cost-of-illness and cost-effectiveness studies. Although RTI-related risk factors in South Africa are well described, costing studies are limited. There is minimal information, most of which is not recent, with nothing at all on societal costs. Cost-effective interventions for RTIs in LMICs include bicycle and motorcycle helmet enforcement, traffic enforcement, and the construction of speed bumps. DISCUSSION: Policy recommendations from studies conducted in LMICs suggest a number of cost-effective interventions for consideration in South Africa. They include speed bumps for pedestrian safety, strategically positioned speed cameras, traffic enforcement such as the monitoring of seatbelt use, and breathalyzer interventions. However, interventions introduced in South Africa will need to be based either on South African cost-effectiveness data or on findings adapted from similar middle-income country settings

Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Political science · Public economics · Suicide prevention · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Psychology · Traffic and Road Safety · Transportation Planning and Optimization · Urban Transport and Accessibility