The aim is to investigate the extent to which the geographical areas where people live have input on the risk to be injured in traffic. Fifteen census districts in Falkoeping Municipality in Sweden were grouped into five geographic areas. Traffic-injury odds ratios (ORs) were then calculated, with 95% confidence intervals, by age group and gender, using the rural area as the comparison group. A tendency was found for road users in city areas to be at greater risk. There was a higher risk for pedestrians and bicyclists in small towns and city areas compared with the rural area. There were no significant differences in injury risk between males and females. Among young females there was a higher risk in the non-rural areas and also with the other female age groups. The proportions of inhabitants in the study areas were not significantly associated with the injury rate, for either men or women. It appears that living in a city does influence the risk of being injured in traffic. Future studies should take into account traffic separation and other relevant environmental variables. (Author/publisher)
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