title: Costs of traffic injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyse the socioeconomic costs of traffic injuries in Denmark, notably the healthcare costs and the productivity costs related to traffic injuries, in a bottom-up, register-based perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Traffic injury victims were identified using national emergency room data and police records. Victims were matched with five controls per case by means of propensity score, nearest-neighbour matching. In the cohort, consisting of the 52 526 individuals that experienced a traffic injury in 2000 and 262 630 matched controls, attributable healthcare costs were assessed using Danish national healthcare registers. Productivity costs were computed using duration analysis (Cox regression models). In a subanalysis, cost per severe traffic injury was computed for the 12 995 individuals that experienced a severe injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The socioeconomic cost of a traffic injury was €1406 (2009 price level) in the first year, and €8950 over a 10-year period. Per 100 000 population, the 10-year cost was €6 565 668. A severe traffic injury costs €4969 per person in the first year, and €4 006 685 per 100 000 population over a 10-year period. Victims of traffic injuries are younger and generally worse off, compared to the general population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention of traffic injuries could result in societal savings. The bottom-up, register-based approach renders more precise figures for these savings. The socioeconomic profile of injury victims differs from that of the general population on most parameters.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kruse
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult