Prevalence and clinicopathological features of driver gene mutations profile in BCR: ABL1 negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasm-A single-center study from North India.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent somatic mutations in the JAK2, CALR, and the MPL genes are noted in BCR: ABL1 negative classic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) that includes polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytosis (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mutation profile and clinical features of MPN cases diagnosed at a tertiary care center in North India are being described. JAK2V617F mutation was screened using ARMS PCR, and CALR mutation was screened using allele-specific PCR followed by fragment analysis. MPL and JAK2 Exon 12 mutations were screened by Sanger sequencing. Some of the samples were also screened using commercial kits based on single-plex RT PCR. RESULTS: A total of 378 cases (including 124 PV, 121 ET, and 133 PMF cases) were screened over 6.5 years. JAK2V617F mutation was noted in 90.3%, 61.1%, and 69.2% of cases of PV, ET, and PMF, respectively. In PV, JAK2V617F wild-type cases were associated with a significantly lower age (44 yrs vs 54 yrs; P = 0.001), lower TLC (6.3 vs 16.9; P = 0.001), and a lower platelet count (188 × 109/L vs 435 × 109/L; P = 0.009) as compared to the JAK2V617F mutated cases. CALR and MPL mutations were noted in 17.4% and 12% and 0.8% and 5.3% of ET and PMF cases, respectively. Type 1 CALR mutations were commoner in both ET and PMF. The triple negative cases constituted 20.7% and 13.5% cases of ET and PMF, respectively. In ET, the triple negative cases were found to have a significantly lower median age of presentation (42 yrs vs 52 yrs; P = 0.001), lower median TLC (10.2 × 109/L vs 13.2 × 109/L; P = 0.024), and a higher median platelet count (1238 × 109/L vs 906 × 109/L; P = 0.001) as compared to driver genes mutated cases. In PMF, the triple negative cases were found to have a significantly lower hemoglobin level (7.9 g/dl vs 11.0 gl/dl; P = 0.001) and a significant female preponderance (P = 0.05) as compared to the mutated cases. CALR mutations were found to have a significantly lower median age (43 yrs vs 56 yrs; P = 0.001) and lower hemoglobin (9.6 g/dl vs 11.3 g/dl) as compared to the JAK2 mutations. CONCLUSION: Our data on the driver gene mutational profile of BCR: ABL1 negative MPN is one of the largest patient cohorts. The prevalence and clinicopathological features corroborate with that of other Asian studies.

Challenges in abdominal re-exploration for war casualties following on-site abdominal trauma surgery and subsequent delayed arrival to definitive medical care abroad - an unusual scenario.

BACKGROUND: During the Syrian civil war, patients were initially treated on-site in Syria and later transferred to medical centers in Israel. Relevant details concerning the exact nature of injury and medical/surgical care received in Syria were unavailable to clinicians in Israel. Many of these patients required abdominal re-exploration for obvious or suspected problems related to their injury. Our aim is to present our approach to abdominal trauma patients who survived initial on-site surgery and needed subsequent abdominal re-exploration abroad, in our medical center. METHODS: Clinical data from all medical records were retrospectively analyzed. Each patient underwent total body computerized tomography on arrival, revealing diverse multi-organ trauma. We divided the patient population who had abdominal trauma into 4 sub-groups according to the location in which abdominal surgical intervention was performed (abdominal surgery performed only in Syria, surgery in Syria and subsequent re-laparotomy in Israel, abdominal surgery only in Israel, and management of patients without abdominal surgical intervention). We focused on missed injuries and post-operative complications in the re-laparotomy sub-group. RESULTS: By July 2018, 1331 trauma patients had been admitted to our hospital, of whom 236 had suffered abdominal trauma. Life-saving abdominal intervention was performed in 138 patients in Syria before arrival to our medical center. A total of 79 patients underwent abdominal surgery in Israel, of whom 46 (33%) required re-laparotomy. The absence of any communication between the surgical teams across the border markedly affected our medical approach. Indications for re-exploration included severe peritoneal inflammation, neglected or overlooked abdominal foreign bodies, hemodynamic instability and intestinal fistula. Mortality occurred in 37/236 patients, with severe abdominal trauma as the main cause of fatality in 10 of them (4.2%), usually following urgent re-laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of information about the circumstances of injury in an environment of catastrophe in Syria at the time and the absence of professional communication between the surgical teams across the border markedly dictated our medical approach. Our concerns were that some patients looked deceptively stable while others had potentially hidden injuries. We had no information on who had had definitive versus damage control surgery in Syria. The fact that re-operation was not performed by the same team responsible for initial abdominal intervention also posed major diagnostic challenges and warranted increased clinical suspicion and a change in our standard medical approach.

Preparedness for Mass Casualty Incidents: The Effectiveness of Current Training Model.

The importance of MCI organization and training was highlighted by the events of September 11, 2001. Training focuses on the management of physical injuries caused by a single traumatic event over a well-defined, relatively short timeframe. MCI management is integrated into surgical and trauma training, with disaster management training involving the emergency services, law enforcement, and state infrastructure agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed gaps in the preparedness of nation states and global partners in disaster management. The questions that arose include 'has training really prepared us for an actual emergency,' 'what changes need to be made to training to make it more effective,' and 'who else should training be extended to?' This article focuses on the importance of involving multiple sectors in mass casualty training and asks whether greater involvement of non-medical agencies and the public, in operational drills might improve preparedness for global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Primary care for the urban poor in India during the pandemic: Uninterrupted management of non-communicable diseases and home-based care of patients with COVID-19 infection.

Problem: The two waves of COVID-19 severely affected the healthcare system in India. The government responded to the first wave with a strict nationwide lockdown which disrupted primary care, including the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The second wave overwhelmed healthcare facilities leading to inadequate access to hospital services. Collectively, these issues required urgent responses, including the adaptation of primary care. Approach: The Low-Cost Effective Care Unit (LCECU) of Christian Medical College, Vellore (CMC) has a network of community volunteers, community health workers, an outreach nurse, social workers and doctors who operate clinics in six poorer areas of Vellore. The network adapted quickly, responding to the lockdown during the first wave and ensuring ongoing primary care for patients with non-communicable diseases. During the second wave, the team developed a system in collaboration with other CMC departments to provide home-based care for patients with COVID-19. Local setting: The LCECU is a 48-bed unit of the Department of Family Medicine, part of the 3,000-bed CMC. It originated in 1982, aiming to care for the poor populations of Vellore town. It has been actively working among urban communities since 2002, with a focus on delivering Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC), for six poor urban communities since 2016. Relevant changes: During the first wave of COVID the LCECU team ensured patients with NCDs had uninterrupted primary care and medications by visiting them in their homes. The team also addressed food insecurity by organizing a daily lunch service for 600 people for over 2 months. In the second wave, the team responded to community needs by organizing and delivering home-based care to monitor patients affected by COVID-19. Lessons learned: The COVID-19 pandemic raises many questions about the preparedness of health systems for disasters that disproportionately affect marginalized populations globally. COVID-19 is only one of the many potential disasters, including non-communicable diseases, mental health problems, pollution, climate change, and lifestyle illness. There is an urgent need to study models of care that support vulnerable communities in an accessible, cost-effective, and patient-oriented way, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper outlines lessons on how the LCECU team addressed disaster management:1. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of primary care-based rapid response interventions in disaster management.2. The LCECU model demonstrated the effectiveness of a primary care intervention based on pre-existing networks and familiarity between primary care teams and the community.3. Establishing community-based health care via interdisciplinary teams, including community health workers, community volunteers, outreach nurses, and doctors, is key.4. Addressing other social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, is an important component of care delivery.

Case Report: Robotically Assisted Excision of Cystic Tumor Located in a Difficult to Access Area in the Liver.

Introduction: Cystic liver lesions may be benign cysts, parasitic infestations, or malignant tumors requiring surgical resection. Hilar location and relation to major vasculature present challenges in conventional surgical access and resection. Materials and Methods: We describe totally robotic excision of a cystadenoma in a 55-year-old woman without complication. Time points in the accompanying video (https://youtu.be/Tn_QPgpSHA4) are embedded within the text. Results: Advantages of the robotic technique lie in overcoming the natural restriction of conventional laparoscopic instruments, easier repair, and control of intraoperative vascular injuries using EndoWrist® instruments, ergonomic dissection close to major vasculature and reduced intraoperative blood loss as dissection is easier. Discussion: Indications for robotic surgery included the large size of the cystic lesion, its intrahepatic location, and compression of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right and middle hepatic veins. Had robotic removal of the lesion not been feasible, the entire lobe of the liver would have required resection.

Assessment of Global Health Education: The Role of Multiple-Choice Questions.

Introduction: The standardization of global health education and assessment remains a significant issue among global health educators. This paper explores the role of multiple choice questions (MCQs) in global health education: whether MCQs are appropriate in written assessment of what may be perceived to be a broad curriculum packed with fewer facts than biomedical science curricula; what form the MCQs might take; what we want to test; how to select the most appropriate question format; the challenge of quality item-writing; and, which aspects of the curriculum MCQs may be used to assess. Materials and Methods: The Medical School for International Health (MSIH) global health curriculum was blue-printed by content experts and course teachers. A 30-question, 1-h examination was produced after exhaustive item writing and revision by teachers of the course. Reliability, difficulty index and discrimination were calculated and examination results were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Twenty-nine students sat the 1-h examination. All students passed (scores above 67% - in accordance with University criteria). Twenty-three (77%) questions were found to be easy, 4 (14%) of moderate difficulty, and 3 (9%) difficult (using examinations department difficulty index calculations). Eight questions (27%) were considered discriminatory and 20 (67%) were non-discriminatory according to examinations department calculations and criteria. The reliability score was 0.27. Discussion: Our experience shows that there may be a role for single-best-option (SBO) MCQ assessment in global health education. MCQs may be written that cover the majority of the curriculum. Aspects of the curriculum may be better addressed by non-SBO format MCQs. MCQ assessment might usefully complement other forms of assessment that assess skills, attitude and behavior. Preparation of effective MCQs is an exhaustive process, but high quality MCQs in global health may serve as an important driver of learning.

Advancing global health through engineering: a perspective on teaching an online global health course to engineers during a global pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education has been felt worldwide. There are many lessons to be learned about teaching and learning in the digital age. While we evaluate the full impact and prepare ourselves for the new normal, it is worth reflecting on some of the positive aspects of online teaching and learning and understanding how students, teachers and the wider faculty have been able to support each other through the challenges of the pandemic. In this article, we offer a perspective on teaching an online Global Health course to engineering students. RESULTS: The course, taught by a physician, provides a grounding in basic medical, scientific and engineering principles and is available to students of diverse engineering specialties. Students developed skills and gained confidence in active listening, sourcing and critical appraisal of information, interdisciplinary teamwork, needs assessment, problem analysis, problem-solving, effective communication, and organisation and delivery of information (in English). Students learned the importance of engineering in landmark historical public health projects, the delivery of modern health care, and the pressing need to develop engineering solutions to current global health problems. Course assessment was formative: 20% attendance and active participation in online classes, 30% problem-solving, 30% student presentations, and 20% written abstracts for two class projects: historical innovations and medicine in the future. CONCLUSIONS: We show how, through conversion from a classroom to an online format, we were able to deliver a rich curriculum with sound assessment where students were able to innovate together and discover the importance of engineering in health and well-being as we all experience an unprecedented global health pandemic.

Minimizing treatment complexity of combat-related soft tissue injuries using a dedicated tension relief system and negative pressure therapy augmented by high-dose in situ antibiotic therapy and oxygen delivery: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Following combat-related, extensive soft tissue injury from gunshot wounds or blasts, prolonged duration from injury to full wound closure is associated with infection, increased morbidity and mortality, failure to mobilize, poor functional outcome and increased cost. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel treatment enabling early primary closure of combat wounds. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 10 soldiers and civilians with extensive combat-related soft tissue limb injuries (5 gunshot wounds, 5 blasts) treated using the TopClosure® Tension Relief System (TRS) with simultaneous administration of regulated oxygen-enriched and irrigation negative pressure-assisted wound therapy (ROINPT) via the Vcare α® device. RESULTS: Nine patients were treated during the acute phase of injury and one was treated following removal of a flap due to deep infection 20 years after injury and flap reconstruction. Two patients had upper limb injury and the rest lower limb injury. With the aid of the TRS and/or ROINPT, immediate primary closure during reconstruction was achieved in 6 patients and delayed primary closure in three. Only one patient required a skin graft to close a small area of the wound after most of the wound had been closed by delayed primary closure. Wound closure was achieved within 0-37 days (median: 12.5 days, interquartile range: 2.75-19.75) from injury. CONCLUSIONS: The TRS is a novel device for effective, early skin stretching and secure wound closure through the application of stress relaxation and mechanical creep, achieving primary closure of large defects using a simplified surgical technique and reducing the need for closure using skin grafts and flaps and the use of tissue expanders. Delivering supplemental oxygen to the wound by ROINPT reverses the reduced oxygen levels inherent in conventional negative pressure-assisted wound therapy, mitigating anaerobic contamination and reducing infection. Irrigation may accelerate the evacuation of infectious material from the wound and provide a novel method for antibiotic administration. The combination of TRS and ROINPT devices allow for early primary closure with improved functionality of combat-related limb injuries.

Novel Transgastric Endoluminal Segmental Esophagectomy and Primary Anastomosis Technique: A Hybrid Transgastric Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy for the Treatment of High Grade Dysplasia and Early Esophageal Cancer in a Porcine Ex vivo Model.

Multiple modalities are currently employed in the treatment of high grade dysplasia and early esophageal carcinoma. While they are the subject of ongoing investigation, surgery remains the definitive modality for oncological resection. Esophagectomy, however, is traditionally a challenging surgical procedure and carries a significant incidence of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are considerably less invasive alternatives to esophagectomy in the diagnosis and treatment of high grade dysplasia, early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. However, many early esophageal cancer patients, with favorable histology, who could benefit from endoscopic resection, are referred for formal esophagectomy due to lesion characteristics such as unfavorable lesion morphology or recurrence after previous endoscopic resection. In this study we present a novel, hybrid thoracoscopic transgastric endoluminal segmental esophagectomy with primary anastomosis for the potential treatment of high grade dysplasia and early esophageal cancer in a porcine ex vivo model as a proposed bridge between endoscopic resection and the relatively high mortality and morbidity formal esophagectomy procedure. The novel technique consists of thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization in addition to transgastric endoluminal segmental esophagectomy and anastomosis utilizing a standard circular stapler. The technique was found feasible in all experimental subjects. The minimally invasive nature of this novel procedure as well as the utility of basic surgical equipment and surgical skill is an important attribute of this method and can potentially make it a treatment option for many patients who would otherwise be referred for a formal esophagectomy.

Case Report: Delayed Primary Wound Closure After Extensive Abdominal Wall Resection for Infection and Malignancy Using TopClosure®.

The closure of a massive abdominal wall defect is illustrated using a novel dynamic closure technique - the TopClosure® tension relief system. This system attaches to the abdominal wall immediately after laparotomy and allows for early approximation of the skin, avoiding an open abdomen and the complications associated with this. The technique in this case was employed after extensive resection of the abdominal wall for infected skin metastases of colonic adenocarcinoma and circumvented post-operative ventilation and open abdomen. Early recovery after such extensive surgery is important in terms of patient morbidity and mortality. In this case, primary surgery may not have been an acceptable risk to undertake without the option of Top Closure of the abdomen. We illustrate the technique of abdominal wall closure through a series of images of the procedure.

Case Report: Robotic ALPPS Procedure for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Right Lobe of the Liver.

Introduction: Associating liver partition with portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a surgical procedure for liver malignancy where the volume of the liver remnant is estimated to be too small. We present the first case of two-stage robotic ALPPS procedure, illustrating the steps and advantages of robotic surgery. Materials and Methods: A 68-year-old man with morbid obesity (BMI 40), portal fibrosis, macrovesicular steatosis, and poor liver function underwent robotic ALPPS for hepatocellular carcinoma in the right lobe of the liver (segments 5, 7, and 8). A video presentation (https://youtu.be/M50Gumf-4pw) of the operative procedure is accompanied by explanation in the text with embedded corresponding video time points. Results: Both stages of the procedure were performed robotically, with negligible blood loss, and rapid surgical recovery. The patient died 3 years later. Discussion: Robotic ALPPS offers reduced morbidity in major liver surgery for malignancy and may extend survival in meticulously selected patients.

Case Report: Surgical Management of Painful Manubriosternal Pseudoarthrosis.

A 31-year-old male amateur bodybuilder presented with a 2-year history of chronic pain over the sternum and a clicking sensation in the chest wall on movement. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no cause for his symptoms. Dynamic ultrasound scan performed at a specialist sports center revealed pseudoarthrosis of the manubriosternal joint (MSJ). After a period of conservative management (rest and analgesia), he failed to improve and underwent debridement and fusion of the MSJ with plates and screws. At follow-up 23 months later, he remains pain-free and has returned to weight lifting and bodybuilding.

Health Promotion in Israeli Colleges of Higher Education-The Example of Oranim College of Education.

A teacher-training college that promotes a healthy learning environment contributes to the educational character of teachers of the future. These teachers adopt healthy lifestyles of their own and influence the lifestyles and learning of their pupils in kindergartens and schools. This article outlines the implementation of a health promotion program in a teacher-training college in northern Israel-Oranim College of Education. We describe the changes made at the college over three years-from the commitment of college executives to the health promotion policy initiative launched by the Ministry of Education, the appointment of a health leader (health promotion coordinator), staff and student engagement in change, rededication of college resources to healthy lifestyles and learning, promotion of healthy eating and exercise, changes in teaching, new courses and more interaction with the community, to health promotion by teachers in training in local kindergartens and schools. Using real examples, we show how effective policy implementation rests on the active participation of all stakeholders.

Implementing a Practical Global Health Curriculum: The Benefits and Challenges of Patient-Based Learning in the Community.

Background: A growing number of medical schools across the world have incorporated global health (GH) into their curricula. While several schools focus GH education on lecture-based courses, our premise is that global health education should embody a holistic approach to patient care and medical education in local communities. Medical students may learn global health by focusing on real patients, their families and communities as part of a practical curriculum. Aims and Objectives: A unique GH curriculum was devised to compare student learning outcomes on a practical vs. lecture-based course. The premise was that learning from patients would result in a greater breadth of coverage of the global health syllabus as compared to that from a lecture-based course. Methods: A teaching and learning program was developed over 3 years to provide medical students interaction with real patients in the community on a first-preclinical-year Introduction to Global Health and Medical Anthropology course. Learning outcomes on the practical vs. lecture-based course were compared using thematic analysis of the written assignments of both courses: global health case reports and literature reviews, respectively. All members of three cohorts of students undertaking the course in successive academic years were compared (Group A: literature review; Groups B and C: case reports; n = 87). Results: Case reports provided evidence of a greater breadth of learning outcomes when compared to the literature review (p < 0.001). The writing of the case report was enhanced by completion of a field journal and family health needs assessment tool (p < 0.001). Students demonstrated a closeness to their patients that added depth, understanding and motivation to assist patients in health activities and advocate for their needs. Discussion: Placements with patients in the community provided students with a rich learning environment and facilitated the formation of relationships with patients to better understand the social determinants of health and advocate for improvements in their living and working conditions and access to healthcare. Conclusions: Global health may be better learned experientially by following patients rather than from frontal lectures. Patient-based learning inspires a commitment to the individual and facilitates medical schools in meeting their obligations to the communities they serve.

Developing Self-Management Application of Fall Prevention Among Older Adults: A Content and Usability Evaluation.

This paper presents a research and development project for studying aging and technology in fall prevention. Falls are an important global health problem in an aging global population. Up to 50% of serious falls may be fatal. Falls result from the cumulative effects of cognitive, musculoskeletal and sensory decline on postural control and substantially affect the activities of daily living, leading to a lower quality of life and physical injury. A near-fall, misstep and a prior fall are established risk factors for a more serious fall. The fear of falling may reduce physical activity and further predispose to falling. However, limitations in the reporting and documentation of fall events create "silent events"-events that are neither documented nor acted upon. An "Age-Techcare" Application (App) was designed using open innovation methods with local older adult populations and health care professionals through a mixed-methodology approach. The App comprised a digital diary for the self-reporting of fall events and an exercise video to strengthen balance as a fall-prevention intervention. The older adults recorded four fall events: a near-fall, the fear of falling, a fall, or no-fall. Prompts to watch the video and the number of times the video was watched were also recorded on the App. Reports retrieved from the App were analyzed after a 10-week pilot study among older adults accessing the App on their smartphones (n = 28) and through their smartTV (n = 23). All participants used the App to self-report fall events. Near-falls were the most frequently reported fall event among both smartphone and smartTV groups. The scale of silent falls (including a fear of falling and near falls) is greater than anticipated (according to prevailing literature) and significant, especially among the older cohort of participants who had previously experienced falls and are living alone. The exercise video was regularly accessed within a self-report-fall-prevention feedback loop. Watching a preventive exercise video clip as a preventive intervention is positively associated with self-reporting of all events. We have shown that the utility and effectiveness of an App in the self-management of fall events to raise self-awareness, document risk and prompt preventive action. As we address the health needs of an aging global population, Apps such as this will need to be further developed and interface with health and social care services. The facility for older adults to negotiate ideas and practices of risk and safety-the hallmark of the aging-in-place and healthy aging discourse-is important to them in their acceptance of dynamic and diverse technology.

Assisted Reproductive Technology as a Transcutaneous Route for Bacterial Contamination of Ovarian Endometrioma with Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Tubo-ovarian abscess may develop in women with endometrioma following assisted reproductive technology (ART). The infection, though rare, is typically late in onset and may present several months after the procedure, and in pregnancy-with the risks of abortion and premature labor. It is thought that transcutaneous oocyte retrieval during ART is the route for bacterial contamination resulting in infection of the endometrioma. Pathogens reported in the literature include Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Group B streptococcus (GBS) but Staphylococcus lugdunensis (S. lugdunensis), a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS), and groin and perineal skin commensal was isolated from the endometrioma in this case. We discuss the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition and the implications of the discovery that an organism previously dismissed as a contaminant has emerged as a causative organism in severe, deep-seated infections of soft tissues in recent literature.

The Incidence of Road Traffic Crashes Among Young People Aged 15-20 Years: Differences in Behavior, Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Indices in the Galilee and the Golan.

Background: Adolescent injuries and fatalities constitute a world health concern and present a major public health burden. Of all childhood injuries in Israel 61.8% occur during road traffic crashes. The risk of being injured or killed in a road traffic crash is especially high among individuals deemed to have a low socio-economic status, but, there also exist crucial risk factors for road traffic crashes that are intrinsic social determinants of health, including behavior, lifestyle, education and employment. These associations are explored in this study. Aim: To examine the contribution of socioeconomic inequalities to the incidence of road traffic crashes among adolescents living in the Galilee and the Golan. Methods: A large retrospective study of trauma records (N = 3293) of 15-20-year-old patients who were injured in road traffic crashes and admitted to Ziv Medical Center between 2004 and 2015 was performed. These patients were subcategorized according to their home address. Using census data and other databases associations between socioeconomic inequalities, intrinsic social determinants and the prevalence of road crashes were investigated. Results: Road traffic crashes in the Galilee and the Golan are more frequent among residents of low socioeconomic areas. Fifty-five percent of drivers are from the areas of lowest socioeconomic level (levels 2 to 4) and are responsible for 60% of the road traffic injuries admitted to Ziv Medical Center (p < 0.001). In contrast, 42% of drivers are from areas of medium socioeconomic level (levels 5 and 6) but are responsible for only 35% of road traffic injuries (p < 0.001). Young women in the Galilee and the Golan are less likely to be involved in road traffic crashes-35.8% compared to 64.2% in young men. Conclusions: This research has shown that youth, male gender, socioeconomic status, education level and the quality of road infrastructure are important factors in the incidence of road traffic crashes in the Galilee and the Golan. This should be taken into consideration by policy makers in order to develop appropriate interventions in road safety targeted at multiple levels.