What motorcyclists wear could mitigate the long term consequences of injury. In the six months after a crash, drivers who were protected fully (motorcycle jacket and trousers) or partly (jacket only) reported less pain immediately after the crash and spent fewer days in hospital than unprotected riders. After two months, fully and partly protected riders were less likely to have disabilities or reduced physical functioning. At six months, both protected groups were more likely to be fully recovered and back at work than unprotected riders (Injury 2012;43:2035-45, doi:10.1016/j.injury.2011.10.025).

Did the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant create health problems for those left to clean up the mess? A case-control study of over 110 000 Ukrainian clean-up workers found a linear dose-response between exposure to radiation and leukaemia. Altogether, 18% of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cases and 15% of non-CLL cases were attributed to exposure to low dose radiation after the clean up. …