Economic Burden of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of Injuries

Abstract

Economic burdens of injuries at the country level are unknown. In the current study we tried to explore the economic burden of DALYs loss due to injuries at the country level, then distributed according to the World Bank’s income groups. Methods: Data from the World Bank and the World Health Organization websites were used. Disability adjusted life year (DALY) and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita were used to estimate the economic loss for RTIs. Estimates of economic burdens were presented in tables and figures. Results: The total economic loss of the world during 2004 by means of DALYs due to injuries was 613. 144 billion USD, corresponding value of 848.205 billion USD in 2014. DALYs burden of injuries were concentrated (almost 75%) among low and lower middle income countries. Economic burdens of injuries were concentrated (over 80%) among higher middle and high income countries. Iraq had lost almost one-fifth of its GDP due to injuries. The USA had the highest amount of economic loss for injuries (169.136 billion USD) among all countries. Conclusion: Injuries are highly expensive and they account for heavy losses to GDP. Injury prevention should be prioritized in order to save such losses to life and economies.