Global and regional assessments of the burden of transport injuries and associated risk factors, 1990–2021: Insights from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study

The burden of transport injuries continues to constitute a major global challenge. This study seeks to utilize the most recent data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study to comprehensively analyze the global and regional burden of transport injuries. This study utilized the most recent data from the 2021 GBD study to comprehensively analyze the trends in ASIRs, mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for transport injuries between 1990 and 2021. Subgroup analyses were performed based on gender, age, and geographic regions. Additionally, we examined potential risk factors associated with DALYs due to transport injuries. Between 1990 and 2021, the global burden of transport injuries exhibited an overall decreasing trend. Relative to 1990, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) declined by approximately 37.1%, the age-standardized death rate (ASDR) decreased by approximately 33.3%, and the age-standardized DALY rate decreased by roughly 38.0%. Regional subgroup analysis demonstrated that regions with higher Social Development Index (SDI) exhibited higher ASIRs, but lower ASDRs and age-standardized DALY rates. At the same time, the converse was observed in regions with lower SDI. The burden of transport injuries decreased across all age cohorts. Furthermore, smoking, alcohol consumption, low bone mineral density, occupational injuries, and high temperatures were recognized as the 5 major risk factors for DALYs associated with transport injuries. This GBD 2021-based study provides further insights into the global burden of transport injuries from 1990 to 2021, with a particular focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, due to the inherent limitation of GBD studies, which lack rigorous harmonized standards, the quality of their data is highly dependent on individual country reports. As a result, the findings may deviate to some extent from actual conditions. In conclusion, although the global burden of transport injuries has generally declined, the disparities in transport injury burden across gender, age, and geographic regions warrant attention.