Global burden of spinal cord injury: future directions

Findings from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) have provided valuable insight into the descriptive epidemiology of diseases and injuries for many countries over time.1 GBD 2019 approximates incidence, prevalence, and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) for more than 350 unique diseases and injuries for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019.2 Among these diseases and injuries is spinal cord injury, a debilitating neurological condition that can result in lifelong disability and costly medical care, which has become a global health priority owing to the preventability of some injuries.