Analysis and comparison of the trends in burden of injury in China and ASEAN countries from 1990 to 2021 and its association with the socio-demographic index

Background As China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) experience rapid economic growth and urbanization, injuries have become a significant public health issue. This study aims to analyze and compare the injury burden trends in these regions from 1990 to 2021, while examining the correlation with the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Methods Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) was used to assess injury burden metrics such as incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Joinpoint regression analysis identified trends, while frontier analysis assessed the optimal scenario for managing injury burden relative to the SDI. Health inequality was analyzed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Concentration Index (CI). Results The study revealed a mixed picture of injury burden trends. While overall trends showed a decrease in injury incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs, certain periods and countries experienced increases. Unintentional injuries remained the predominant cause. The injury burden shifted to older adults, particularly those aged 70 and above, reflecting the demographic shift towards an aging population, with males bearing a higher burden compared to females. The injury burden was strongly correlated with the SDI, indicating a decrease as countries develop. In the frontier analysis examining the correlation between injury burden and the SDI, countries furthest from the global frontier fit line were predominantly those with middle to high SDI rankings. This finding suggests that countries with higher SDI levels exhibit a more substantial potential for advancing health burden mitigation efforts. The SII for DALYs decreased from − 2407.96 in 1990 to -1159.885 in 2021, indicating a reduction in the disparity of age-standardized injury burden between high-income and low-income countries. Conclusions The study provides valuable insights into the injury burden trends and disparities in China and ASEAN countries. It underscores the importance of addressing social determinants of injury risk and emphasizes the need for tailored interventions considering regional disparities and evolving age distributions. By leveraging these findings, policymakers and stakeholders can develop more effective strategies to reduce the socio-economic burden of injuries, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals related to injury prevention.