Planning for next ITMA congress!
ITMA board will have an extra electronic board meeting in January 2025 where we will discuss a proposal from Japan to hold our next congress there in 2026. More information will come!
Board member professor Wang dead
It is with profound grief that we announce the passing of Prof. Wang Zhengguo. He left us at 9:26 on January 5, 2025, in Shanghai, at the age of 90.
Prof. Wang was a pioneer, being one of the principal founders of research in traffic medicine in China. His life’s work paved the way for advancements that saved countless lives and enhanced medical knowledge.
He dedicated his career to the Army Medical University, PLA , training generations of medical professionals and spearheading critical research. His wisdom, passion, and commitment will be deeply missed, but his legacy will endure, inspiring future generations to strive for excellence in medicine.
As a long standing ITMA board member his efforts to organize ITMA world congresses in China was very successful and Professor Wang was a true friend of international contact and cooperation in the scientific field of Traffic Medicine.
ITMA President-Emeritus Leonard Evans has produced a YouTube video
In celebration of his 85th Birthday, still with zero involvements in any traffic crash, ITMA President-Emeritus Leonard Evans has produced a YouTube available at https://youtu.be/cxJCswODOEI. In it Dr. Evans states “In 68 years of driving I have been involved in zero traffic crashes, and I’m going to tell you how you too can also have zero crashes. Of course, if you already have had one (or more) I’m too late. But I’ll tell you how to never have another”.
COVID Vaccine Hesitancy and Risk of a Traffic Crash
A new study from ITMA board member Donald Redelmeier
Donald A. Redelmeier, MD, FRCPC, MSHSR, FACP
Jonathan Wang, MMASc
Deva Thiruchelvam, MSc
Published:December 02, 2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.11.002
Abstract:
Background
Coronavirus disease (COVID) vaccine hesitancy is a reflection of psychology that might also contribute to traffic safety. We tested whether COVID vaccination was associated with the risks of a traffic crash.
Methods
We conducted a population-based longitudinal cohort analysis of adults and determined COVID vaccination status through linkages to individual electronic medical records. Traffic crashes requiring emergency medical care were subsequently identified by multicenter outcome ascertainment of all hospitals in the region over a 1-month follow-up interval (178 separate centers).
Results
A total of 11,270,763 individuals were included, of whom 16% had not received a COVID vaccine and 84% had received a COVID vaccine. The cohort accounted for 6682 traffic crashes during follow-up. Unvaccinated individuals accounted for 1682 traffic crashes (25%), equal to a 72% increased relative risk compared with those vaccinated (95% confidence interval, 63-82; P < 0.001). The increased traffic risks among unvaccinated individuals extended to diverse subgroups, was similar to the relative risk associated with sleep apnea, and was equal to a 48% increase after adjustment for age, sex, home location, socioeconomic status, and medical diagnoses (95% confidence interval, 40-57; P < 0.001). The increased risks extended across the spectrum of crash severity, appeared similar for Pfizer, Moderna, or other vaccines, and were validated in supplementary analyses of crossover cases, propensity scores, and additional controls.
Conclusions
These data suggest that COVID vaccine hesitancy is associated with significant increased risks of a traffic crash. An awareness of these risks might help to encourage more COVID vaccination
Our board member Alberto Silveira passed away
The board of directors in ITMA are sad to inform about the passing away of our dear board member from Argentine, Alberto Silveira. (09/30/1952 – 05/15/2023).
Alberto and his colleague María Cristina Isoba from the Argentine NGO Luchemos por la Vida (Let us fight for life), added to the scientific and humanistic approach of ITMA and took part in our meetings since many years. Alberto was the president and founder of Luchemos por la Vida as a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to help prevent traffic crashes in Argentine.
Luchemos por la Vida’s achievements are significant, including mass awareness campaigns, the proposal for updated national traffic laws, training courses for traffic inspectors, educators, drivers, educational initiatives for children and teenagers, and workshops for those renewing their driving licenses. The initiative continues today, with plans for new traffic laws, action against traffic safety violations, the introduction of medication alert laws, and more. The work in Luchemos por la Vida started with the work of Alberto but will continue in his spirit as long as it is needed. ITMA hopes to find links to our continuing cooperation.
Alberto was a valued member of our board and made significant contributions to our field. We will miss him greatly.
Addressing COVID vaccine hesitancy
This is a new study from our board member Donald Redelmeier et al, addressing COVID vaccine hesitancy. It found that persons who did not get their vaccination had a 72% increase in traffic risks. The theory is that those who neglect public health guidelines may also neglect traffic safety. The observed risk is larger than diabetes and second only to alcoholism and provides another argument to support COVID vaccination. The article’s title is “COVID Vaccine Hesitancy and Risk of a Traffic Crash“ and is published in The American Journal of Medicine and available in full text for free at https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(22)00822-1/fulltext