Productivity losses from injury in China

Objective: To examine the productivity losses and costs of injury and disease in China using an improved approach. Methods: Potentially productive years of life lost (PPYLL) were calculated for injury and four major disease groups (respiratory, cardiovascular, infectious, neoplastic). Data sources: The mortality data are from the 1999 National Health Statistics Report and the morbidity data from the 1998 Second National Health Service Survey Report. Results: Injuries caused an annual PPYLL of 12.6 million years, more than for any disease group. The estimated annual economic cost of injury is equivalent to US$12.5 billion, almost four times the total public health services budget of China. Motor vehicle fatalities accounted for 25% of the total PPYLL from all injury deaths. Conclusion: Injury control and prevention programs merit priority to reflect the social and economic burden of injury in China.