Two innovative Brazilian programs relating to road safety prevention. A case study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) 2017 Global Conference in Montevideo, Uruguay, was dedicated to promoting successful cases and best practices in fighting and preventing noncommunicable disease (NCDs). The global effort undertaken by WHO aims to reduce road traffic deaths in order to meet goal number 3.4 of the sustainable development goals. OBJECTIVES: To describe two Brazilian road safety prevention programs, presented at the WHO 2017 Global Conference: Sao Paulo Traffic Safety Movement (Movimento Paulista de Seguranca no Transito) and Safe Life Program of Brasilia (Programa Brasilia Vida Segura), along with their governance structures, models and results. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a descriptive case study conducted in Sao Paulo and Brasilia from 2015 to 2018. These programs aimed to reduce the number of deaths caused by road accidents to 8.3 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in Sao Paulo by 2020 and in Brasilia by 2016; and to reduce harmful use of alcohol by 10% by 2020. METHODS: These two initiatives were designed, managed and operated to bring together government and civil society, i.e. industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc., around the common goal of saving lives. They were collaborative and guided by sharing of best practices, learning and information, thereby making it possible to attain more and better results. Their format enables reproduction in cities across all Brazilian regions. RESULTS: The results attest to the efficacy of the programs implemented in these two cities. In Brasilia, the initiative helped reduce the number of traffic-related deaths by 35% (2017). In the same year in the state of Sao Paulo, 7,600 deaths were avoided. CONCLUSION: Both programs are innovative public policies that deal with health issues caused by the external agents that ultimately account for the rapid increase in days lost to disability. Prevention of external causes of deaths and injuries, such as traffic violence, strongly correlates with changes in habits and actions, especially excessive consumption of alcohol, and with NCDs in Brazil.