Trauma Care in Low Resource Settings

Abstract

From a global perspective, it is estimated that nearly six million people per year die from traumatic injury and millions more are left with significant disability. Trauma accounts for approximately 10% of the world's deaths and is 32% greater in number than tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDs combined. Concerningly, approximately 90% of these deaths occur in low resource settings. With a standardized, teachable approach and skills, the authors believe that there is great potential for improvement and establishing trauma care equity in low resource settings. The emphasis of this chapter is not to replace formal trauma resuscitation training, but to highlight the nuances of low-resource trauma care, gaps in care equity, and identify actionable items to improve initial trauma care.