Injury mortality and socioeconomic development: an exploratory analysis.

Injury mortality is commonly viewed as a 'disease of development'--a viewpoint which may well be incorrect. This exploratory study found no relationship between reported injury mortality rates and per capita gross national product for 46 developing and industrialized countries; the highest rates reported were all from developing or transitional nations. Greater attention should be given to injuries as a cause of death and disability in developing countries.