[Labor productivity losses attributable to premature deaths due to traffic injuries between 2002 and 2012].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the years of potential life lost, years of potential productive life lost and the labor productivity losses attributable to premature deaths due to traffic injuries between 2002 and 2012 in Spain.


METHODS
Several statistical sources were combined (Spanish Registry of Deaths, Labor Force Survey and Wage Structure Survey) to develop a simulation model based on the human capital approach. This model allowed us to estimate the loss of labor productivity caused by premature deaths following traffic injuries from 2002 to 2012. In addition, mortality tables with life expectancy estimates were used to compute years of potential life lost and years of potential productive life lost.


RESULTS
The estimated loss of labour productivity caused by fatal traffic injuries between 2002 and 2012 in Spain amounted to 9,521 million euros (baseline year 2012). The aggregate number of years of potential life lost in the period amounted to 1,433,103, whereas the years of potential productive life lost amounted to 875,729. Throughout the period analyzed, labor productivity losses and years of life lost diminished substantially.


CONCLUSIONS
Labor productivity losses due to fatal traffic injuries decreased throughout the period analyzed. Nevertheless, the cumulative loss was alarmingly high. Estimation of the economic impact of health problems can complement conventional indicators of distinct dimensions and be used to support public policy making.
Department of Economics, City University London, London, UK. Electronic address: p.cubi-molla@city.ac.uk.
Patricia
P
Cubí-Mollá
Departamento de Análisis Económico y Finanzas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, España.
Luz María
LM
Peña-Longobardo
Departamento de Economía Aplicada I, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, España.
Bruno
B
Casal
Departamento de Economía Aplicada I, Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, España.
Berta
B
Rivera
Departamento de Análisis Económico y Finanzas, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, España.
Juan
J
Oliva-Moreno
D000041:Absenteeism; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061213:Mortality, Premature / Q000639:trends*; D011640:Public Policy; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Accidentes de tránsito; Economía en atención de salud y organizaciones; Esperanza de vida; Evaluación; Evaluation; Healthcare economics and organizations; Life expectancy; Traffic accidents