Urban-rural disparities in injury mortality in China, 2002-2021

Youyou Wu; Ruobing Zhang; David C Schwebel; Li Li; Guoqing Hu

doi:10.1186/s12889-026-29371-0

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Urban-rural disparities in injury mortality in China, 2002-2021

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Urban-rural disparities in injury mortality in China, 2002-2021

Youyou Wu, Ruobing Zhang, David C Schwebel, Li Li and Guoqing Hu

BMC public health, Vol.26(1), 2629

09/14/2026

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29371-0

PMID: 42763397

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Abstract

Injury represents a major public health concern both globally and in China, with persistent urban-rural disparities posing a particular challenge for injury prevention. This study examined urban-rural disparities in injury mortality in China using the latest official data (2002-2021), stratified by age, sex, and cause of injury. Data were collected from the most recent available Chinese Health Statistics Yearbooks. Urban and rural injury mortality rates were analyzed by sex, age group, and external cause of injury. Temporal changes in rural-to-urban mortality rate ratios were assessed using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) estimated by Joinpoint regressions. From 2002 to 2021, age-standardized injury mortality rates were generally higher in rural areas than in urban areas of China. Rural-to-urban mortality ratios ranged from 1.07 to 2.37, with no significant temporal changes in the overall disparity magnitude. Similar patterns were observed across sex and age groups. The urban-rural disparity was mainly a result of disparities in transport-related injuries, suicide, and falls, although cause-specific urban-rural disparities were most pronounced for suicide and drowning. The urban-rural gap widened significantly over the study period for falls and poisoning. Persistent urban-rural disparities in injury mortality highlight the need for targeted, context-specific injury prevention strategies in rural areas. Strengthening injury prevention efforts nationwide is essential for advancing health equity in China.

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Child

Child, Preschool

China - epidemiology

Female

Health Status Disparities

Humans

Infant

Male

Middle Aged

Rural Population - statistics & numerical data

Urban Population - statistics & numerical data

Wounds and Injuries - mortality

Young Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Urban-rural disparities in injury mortality in China, 2002-2021
Creators: Youyou Wu - Central South University
Ruobing Zhang - Central South University
David C Schwebel - University of Iowa
Li Li - Central South University
Guoqing Hu - Central South University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: BMC public health, Vol.26(1), 2629
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-026-29371-0
PMID: 42763397
NLM abbreviation: BMC Public Health
ISSN: 1471-2458
eISSN: 1471-2458
Publisher: Springer Nature
Grant note: National Natural Science Foundation of China: 82273743
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant numbers: 82273743).
Language: English
Date published: 09/14/2026
Academic Unit: Research Administration; Psychological and Brain Sciences
Record Identifier: 9985236350902771

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