This commentary synthesises insights from the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2024) to propose an actionable agenda for researchers, practitioners and policymakers in injury prevention and violence reduction. Building on established injury prevention science, it translates emerging global challenges—climate disruption, precarious funding and commercial pressures—into concrete strategic priorities for the field.
The Delhi Safety 2024 Conference highlighted that injuries are deeply rooted in societal, commercial and environmental factors, disproportionately affecting marginalised communities. Key themes were as follows: (1) Social Determinants and Community-Driven Solutions, (2) Climate Change as a Threat Multiplier: Integrating Safety into Planetary Health, (3) Sustainable Funding and Strategic Partnerships: Navigating the Current Landscape, and (4) Evidence, Advocacy, and Innovation: Driving Lasting Change.
Planetary health—a framework recognising the interdependence of human health and natural systems—provides a critical lens for understanding how environmental degradation and climate change amplify injury risks. Equitable and sustainable implementation requires identifying evidence-based solutions for marginalised groups, aligning with planetary health agendas, developing strategic partnerships and driving policy change.
This forward-looking synthesis bridges current practice with emerging priorities, providing stakeholders with a roadmap for action. By centring equity, embracing intersectoral collaboration and confronting commercial and environmental determinants, the injury prevention field can build more resilient and just systems that protect all communities.