Cost of spinal cord injuries caused by rollover automobile crashes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reduction in direct cost for treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in belted occupants involved in rollover automobile crashes in the USA that would result if severe roof intrusion were eliminated.


METHODS
Risk of SCI per rollover crash and by belted/unbelted status was calculated for roof intrusion magnitude categories using 1993-2006 National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) data. Direct costs of SCI based on neurological level and completeness of SCI were calculated using data from the National SCI Statistical Center.


RESULTS
A reduction in rate of SCI for belted occupants with >15 cm roof intrusion to the rate seen for belted occupants with 8-15 cm roof intrusion would reduce the direct cost of SCI by approximately $97 million annually.


CONCLUSIONS
There would be substantial cost savings solely by a reduction in one uncommon type of injury, SCI, if severe roof intrusion were eliminated.
Burns
Stephen P
SP
Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. spburns@u.washington.edu
Kaufman
Robert P
RP
Mack
Christopher D
CD
Bulger
Eileen
E
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001336:Automobiles; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology