Economic burden of fire-related deaths in Finland, 2000–2010: Indirect costs using a human capital approach

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the indirect economic burden of fire-related deaths in Finland in the period 2000–2010. MethodsThe Human Capital (HC) approach was the main method used to estimate productivity losses due to fire-related deaths. Additionally, Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) due to deaths were reported. ResultsA total of 1090 fire-related deaths occurred in the period 2000–2010 within a population of some 5.4 million. The majority were male (76% vs 24%), with a mean age of 52 (CI: 51.0–53.2) years for males and 57 (CI: 54.6–59.6) for females; 24% (CI: 21.1–26.2%) of victims were over the retirement age. Most of the victims died of combustion gas poisoning (65%, CI: 61.8–67.6%), followed by burns (33%, CI: 30.6–36.3%). Alcohol was often involved and victims were often socially disadvantaged, with socioeconomic features significantly deviating from those of the general population.Annual PYLL ranged from 2094 (CI: 1861–2326) to 3299 (CI: 3008–3594), with an annual average PYLL of 2763 (CI: 2675-2851). PYLL per death fell in the study period from 34.3 (2000, CI: 31.0–37.7) to 24.6 (2010, CI: 21.8–27.6). The reduction is attributable to a decreasing fraction of young victims and an increase in average ages. ConclusionsTotal productivity loss in the period 2000–2010 was c.a. EUR 342 million (CI: 330–354 million), giving an annual average of EUR 31.1 million (CI: 30.0–32.2 million), with the mean for a victim being EUR 0.315 million (CI: 0.30–0.33 million).The economic burden of deaths is considerable and this study remedies the lack of academic knowledge about the burden of fire-related deaths.