The epidemiology and burden of injury in countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), 1990–2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Abstract

Background

Injuries are among the top causes of mortality and disability in southeast Asia. Although injury prevention is a key health priority in the Post-2015 Health Development Agenda of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the focus was placed solely on road injuries. The absence of a broader recognition of injury burden and trends hinders future intervention efforts. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the burden and epidemiological trends of all injuries across ASEAN countries.

Methods

In this analysis of the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, we estimated incidence, cause-specific mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, location, and year for ten ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam) from 1990 to 2021. Incidence and non-fatal disease burden were estimated using disease model Bayesian meta-regression (DisMod-MR) 2.1. Mortality was derived from the GBD Cause of Death Ensemble model. Estimates include 95% uncertainty intervals where appropriate.

Findings

In 2021, an estimated 35·5 million (95% UI 33·5–37·7) injury incident cases were reported in ASEAN, resulting in approximately 317 000 deaths (286 000–350 000). Substantial variation was observed across the region, with the age-standardised mortality ranging from 13·4 per 100 000 people (12·7–14·1) in Singapore to 68·5 per 100 000 (54·4–81·9) in Viet Nam. Road injury was the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in most ASEAN countries, with the highest age-standardised DALY rates in Thailand and Malaysia. Self-harm was the leading cause of mortality in Singapore, whereas interpersonal violence was the leading cause of injury deaths in the Philippines. From 1990 to 2021, the region's age-standardised injury incidence rate declined by 23·0% (21·8–24·1). Age-standardised DALY rates decreased substantially for drowning (60·6% [53·2–66·7]) and road injuries (39·6% [32·1–46·4]), whereas falls saw a smaller and more heterogeneous decline of 12·3% (2·6–21·0) over the past 31 years.

Interpretation

The injury epidemiological landscape in ASEAN is complex, with substantial geographical variations and emerging challenges triggered by the rapid sociodemographic transition in the region. Progress has been uneven. Effective burden reduction across different causes of injury requires strategies addressing the wide range of socioenvironmental determinants and system shortfalls. Prevention programmes need to be customised to each country's unique context and development.

Funding

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.