PAHO, WHO and IIRU co-host 2-Day Experts' Meeting on Motorcycle-Related Injuries in the Americas

The “Expert Consultation on Motorcyclist Injury Prevention in the Americas” was held at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on 15-16 November 2011. The meeting was co-hosted by PAHO, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Johns Hopkins University International Injury Research Unit (IIRU). Dr. Abdul Bachani, the associate director for training and capacity development, and Jeffrey Lunnen, research program coordinator, attended the meeting on behalf of the unit.

Experts from nine countries in the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela, attended the meeting to discuss the emerging issue of motorcycle-related injuries in the Americas. Participants from organizations such as EMBARQ, the Inter-American Development Bank, Mexico’s National Institute of Public Health, and the Universidade de São Paulo analyzed current interventions from several sectors designed and implemented to address this issue. A draft document to summarize the group’s main recommendations is expected to be developed by PAHO. Upon the completion of the drafting of these recommendations, a policy brief and regional strategy will be developed. For more information please contact: Jlunnen@jhsph.edu.