Health and Economic Benefits of Improved Injury Prevention and Trauma Care Worldwide

Abstract

ObjectivesInjury is a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and often disproportionately affects younger, more productive members of society. While many have made the case for improved injury prevention and trauma care, health system development in low- and middle-income countries is often limited by resources. This study aims to determine the economic benefit of improved injury prevention and trauma care in low- and middle-income countries.MethodsThis study uses existing data on injury mortality worldwide from the 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate the number of lives that could be saved if injury mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries could be reduced to rates in high-income countries. Using economic modeling – through the human capital approach and the value of a statistical life approach – the study then demonstrates the associated economic benefit of these lives saved.Results88 percent of injury-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. If injury mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries were reduced to rates in high-income countries, 2,117,500 lives could be saved per year. This would result in between 49 million and 52 million disability adjusted life years averted per year, with discounting and age weighting. Using the human capital approach, the associated economic benefit of reducing mortality rates ranges from $245 to $261 billion with discounting and age weighting. Using the value of a statistical life approach, the benefit is between 758 and 786 billion dollars per year.ConclusionsReducing injury mortality in low- and middle-income countries could save over 2 million lives per year and provide significant economic benefit globally. Further investments in trauma care and injury prevention are needed.

Mortality of pediatric surgical conditions in low and middle income countries in Africa

“…While some of these conditions may be considered "rare" to public health experts, effective treatment can result in substantial reductions of mortality and lifelong morbidity. Obtaining more accurate estimates of mortality is also important to measure disparities with higher-income countries, and may help estimate the resources needed to narrow the global gap in outcomes, as has been done for trauma and certain congenital conditions [23,24]. Finally, for non-fatal conditions, using contextually relevant, reliable tools to measure morbidity will likely be more important than mortality.…”

Comparison of trauma care systems in Asian countries: A systematic literature review

“…Injury and trauma are the leading causes of death in the world . According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 5 million people die annually as a result of injury due to incidents, such as road traffic accidents, burns, drowning and falls.…”

Trauma Care in Oman: Where do we stand and where should we be heading?

“…[7][8][9] In addition to health outcomes, investment in reducing RTC-related morbidity and mortality among relatively young individuals provides significant economic benefit as such individuals usually form the most productive section of society. 10 A regional trauma system consists of a public health model designed to reduce morbidity and mortality due to a type of injury within a specified population. 11 This system covers the entire relevant period from the time of the injury when pre-hospital care is initiated, through resuscitation and surgical intervention to subsequent rehabilitation.…”