Productivity and years of life lost due to fatal traffic injuries in Shiraz Shahid Rajaei Hospital during 2009–2013

Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are an important public health concern, and one of the main causes of death leading to loss of productive and effectual years of life. This study aimed to determine the economic burden of fatal crashes for about 5 years in Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Shiraz. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, cost and demographic data related to the people who died in the hospital due to RTIs, during 2009–2013, were obtained from medical records. Economic burden of traffic accidents that led to death was estimated using human capital as direct costs of treatment and potential years of life lost (PYLL) and lost productivity as indirect costs. Results: During 2009–2013, 989 individuals died from traffic accidents in Shiraz, imposing 1.58 million US dollars to hospital costs, 41,298 PYLL, and 67 million US dollars productivity lost. In this study, the mean age of the dead people was 43.3 ± 22.24, and the productivity lost per capita was 67,000 $US. Conclusions: The economic burdens of traumatic brain injuries were high in fatal accidents in Fars Province equivalent to 0.0003% of Iran's gross domestic product in 2013. Thus, special attention should be directed toward prevention measures for fatal traffic accidents.