Injury mortality in East Germany

Objectives. This study determined the effects of social changes in East Ger many since 1989 on patterns of injury mortality. Methods. Death certificate data regarding injuries from 1980 through 1995 a nd police data regarding traffic injuries in East Germany from 1980 through 1998 were compared with similar data from West Germany. Results. The number of motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths in East Ge rmany increased dramatically between 1989 and 1991, whereas those in West G ermany declined slightly. The increased mortality in the more rural East ha s especially involved young men driving automobiles on rural roads and has persisted since reunification of East and West Germany. Falls, other accide nts, and suicides have shown no such effect. Homicide among East German men has increased but remains uncommon. Conclusions. Recent social changes in East Germany, including increased acc ess to motor vehicles and decreased restrictions on personal freedom, have been associated with increased motor vehicle crashes and mortality, especia lly among young men and on rural roads.