Top 5 Takeaways

1. High Economic Costs: In 2019, fatal injuries in the U.S. resulted in an economic cost of $2.2 trillion.
2. State Variations: West Virginia had the highest per capita cost from fatal injuries at $11,274, while New York had the lowest at $4,538.
3. Leading Causes: Unintentional injuries, suicides, and homicides were significant contributors to the economic costs.
4. Prevention Resources: Resources for preventing injuries and violence are available from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
5. Policy Implications: Identifying economic costs can support the implementation of cost-effective interventions to prevent injuries.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Cora Peterson, vsm2@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Peterson C, Luo F, Florence C. State-Level Economic Costs of Fatal Injuries — United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1660–1663. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7048a2

Summary

In 2019, injuries accounted for 246,041 deaths in the United States, with an economic cost of $2.2 trillion. This report extends a national analysis to examine state-level economic costs of fatal injuries. West Virginia had the highest per capita cost from fatal injuries, while New York had the lowest. The report highlights the substantial avoidable costs faced by all states due to injury deaths and emphasizes the availability of resources for preventing injuries and violence from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

Methods

The study used data from the CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) and National Vital Statistics System mortality data. Economic costs were calculated using medical care costs and the value of statistical life. Medical costs were adjusted for patient characteristics and assigned to injury records by mechanism, intent, and place of death. The value of statistical life was assigned based on decedent age, with estimates derived from research studies.

Discussion

The findings indicate that all U.S. states face substantial avoidable costs from injury deaths. The economic cost of injuries is an essential part of the public health approach to injury prevention. The report underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies to achieve long-term value and cost savings by addressing the causes of unintentional and violence-related injuries. The number of injury deaths and the proportion of younger decedents significantly impact each state’s total fatal injury cost.

Conclusion

Identifying the economic costs of injuries can support the implementation of cost-effective interventions. The report highlights the need for targeted prevention strategies and the availability of resources from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Policymakers, communities, and individuals can use these strategies to prevent injuries and reduce the associated economic costs.

This has been your booster shot of MMWR Info! Please check back for more MMWR, Public Health, and Programming Tutorial content daily.