Acidentalidade de idosos no trânsito e suas implicações: subsídios para a formulação de políticas municipais de promoção de saúde e prevenção da violência

Abstract

Introduction: violence and traffic accidents and traffic have been treated as a public health issue, because of the high morbidity and mortality rates, global and country, bringing economic, social and emotional to their victims, family and friends. In addition, it generates demand for health systems, burdening them more and more. It is in this context that the elderly population. An investigation reveals alarming data to demonstrate that this population segment presents the highest rates of death while walking. Also show that this age group requires more hospitalization time for the resumption of injury and trauma resulting from these diseases, because of their physical fragility and complications. In this sense, current projections point to the need to adopt urgent measures to confront the government and the general population. The increase in the proportion and longevity of the elderly population, associated with its unpreparedness to handle risky situations in traffic and the lack of attention given by public health policies and road safety for this age group, will inevitably result in the increase of this disease in this age group so vulnerable. The aim of this study is to describe the scientific knowledge produced in health care on morbidity and mortality of elderly from traffic accidents, from 2006 to 2015 and specifically study aging and its relation to traffic accidents, gather information on the occurrence of this disease in the elderly and analyze their impact on this population segment. Methodology: Exploratory and descriptive study through literature review in the databases SciELO, Medline, LILACS, and BDENF IBECS in the period of January to December 2015. Results: We identified 31 scientific publications on the subject. The selected works show the high vulnerability of the elderly to run over, the increased demand for urgent and emergency care of this segment, the prevalence of young and elderly male as the main victims of traffic accidents. Indicated that the main determinants and risk factors, functional losses, preexisting conditions, medication use and the lack of accessibility in public spaces. Health promotion strategies were raised, prevention and protection, based on five axes recommended by WHO for traffic safety: safety management in traffic; safety of roads, vehicles and users, and trauma care. Conclusion: The government should promote the inclusion of elderly, reorganizing their services and offering a safe road infrastructure. The elderly should be educated to deal with complex traffic situations. Health professionals and managers and those responsible for road safety projects are multidisciplinary work and qualify for the appropriate care to this specific age group. It is pertinent and timely advance the study of the impact of the involvement of traffic accidents in motorcycle drivers on the victimization of elderly pedestrians and the study of mechanisms of falls, which may be associated with traffic situations.