Custo econômico da incapacidade causada por acidentes de trânsito no México no ano de 2012

Abstract

This study estimated the economic costs of permanent disability caused by road traffic injuries in Mexico during 2012. From the health system’s perspective, a bottom-up approach was used to calculate direct medical costs (hospitalization, outpatient care, rehabilitation, and prostheses). From society’s perspective, using a human capital approach, indirect costs were associated with loss of productivity for the victims and their caregivers. Permanent disability due to road traffic injuries takes a high toll on the health system and Mexican society. From the health system perspective, the cost was US$269,529,480.72, or US$1,496.33 per victim. The estimated average cost to society was US$3,445.45 during the first year. The total average cost per victim was US$4,941.77, resulting in a total economic cost of US$1,119,761,632.53 during 2012. The study’s findings highlight the need to design and implement more rigorous and efficient public polices to control and prevent road traffic injuries in Mexico.