This paper details findings of an exploratory research project that has focused on a complementary avenue of considering road trauma within a broader framework of health determinants and outcomes. To date, road safety and health promotion initiatives in research, programs, and interventions are largely focused on describing single behaviours and single solutions (eg. drink driving, drug and alcohol use, crime prevention), rather than working on common causes and common synergistic responses. However there is a growing body of evidence that indicates common antecedents underlie multiple, negative health outcomes (Catalano et al, 1998; Homel et al, 2001, Jessor et al, 1991) Using information obtained from studies and programs that have addressed some of these issues as well as information from workshops with health and road safety professionals, it appears that a co-operative approach to protecting young people from these common antecedents could have great benefits across many sectors. Collaborative partnerships between different sectors, who all share the goal of preventing the antecedents which lead to multiple and negative health outcomes, may have the potential to reduce road trauma among young people and warrants further investigation and development. (Author/publisher) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.
Abstract