State-Level Lifetime Medical and Work-Loss Costs of Fatal Injuries — United States, 2014

Abstract

© 2015, Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved.What is already known on this topic? Injuries are a leading cause of death in the United States, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Intentional and unintentional injury-associated deaths result in a substantial economic burden. Injury and violence prevention strategies can save lives and reduce costs. What is added by this report? Cost of injury estimates were updated using improved methodology and the most recently available injury data. The total estimated lifetime medical and work-loss costs associated with fatal injuries in 2013 was $214 billion. Males accounted for 78% of economic costs ($166.7 billion). Approximately 61% of the total costs were attributable to unintentional injuries ($129.7 billion), followed by suicide ($50.8 billion [24%]) and homicide ($26.4 billion [12%]). Drug poisonings as a mechanism accounted for the largest share of injury costs (27%), followed by transportation (23%) and firearm-related injuries (22%). What are the implications for public health practice? Injury deaths created a substantial economic burden in the United States during 2013. Understanding the causes and mechanisms of injury death that created the largest share of this burden, such as drug overdoses, and understanding disparities among affected groups can inform public health prevention efforts.