The WHO and a global network of epidemiologists and burn care practitioners have developed a new data collection form for patients with burns. The data collection form, known as the Global Burn Registry Form, can be used in either high-income or low-income and middle-income settings and is intended to be administered for patients with burn injuries who are admitted to a health facility for at least 24 h.

Burns are a major global public health problem. In 2011, there were an estimated 265 000 burn-related deaths globally, of which over 95% occurred in low-income and middle-income countries. Many of the primary prevention strategies for burns that have a strong evidence base (eg, smoke alarms, child-resistant lighters, laws on hot water temperature, etc) have limited applicability in low-income and middle-income countries. Prioritising the selection, development and testing of primary prevention interventions for burns in low-income and middle-income countries can and should be informed by the epidemiology of burns in these settings.

There were three objectives borne in mind by the network that developed the Global Burn Registry Form. First, the form had to characterise the main risk factors and mechanisms for burns requiring inpatient care. Second, it needed to characterise the main risk groups for burns requiring inpatient …