Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit Leadership, Faculty Travel to Brazil for Road Safety Meetings

On September 17, 2018, leadership and faculty from the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) will travel to Brazil to participate in critical road safety meetings with local policymakers and academic collaborators.

Director Dr. Abdul Bachani, PhD, and Assistant Scientist Dr. Andres Vecino-Ortiz, MD, PhD, will represent JH-IIRU as they visit both Sao Paulo and Fortaleza to promote existing work and discuss future opportunities.

On September 18, they’ll attend a press conference with the Secretary of Transport who will share highlights of the annual report, introducing data from the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS).

The Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety is a five-year, $125 million effort aimed at reducing the burden of global traffic injuries and fatalities and focuses on nine low-and middle-income countries’ 10 cities, including both Sao Paulo and Fortaleza.

“We’re honored to be in attendance of this week’s meetings to highlight the life-saving work being implemented here in Brazil,” said Dr. Bachani. “To see the progress on the ground and recognize the great strides by our partners through this initiative, it’s been a real pleasure. And we’re grateful to be supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies to strengthen these proven interventions.”

Then, on September 20, the team will meet with University of Fortaleza officials to discuss future partnerships on research and training opportunities in road safety.

“This is a great opportunity for both institutions to find ways to strengthen our research and teaching collaboration network around the road safety field,” said Dr. Vecino-Ortiz. “Fortaleza is a city that has made outstanding progress improving road safety conditions. This partnership could also be an opportunity for Brazilians and citizen abroad to learn more about what catalyzed Fortaleza’s success.”