Objectives : This study was conducted to estimate the
socioeconomic cost of injuries in South Korea.
Methods : We matched claims data from national health
insurance, automobile insurance and industrial accident
compensation insurance (IACI), and mortality data obtained
from the national statistical office from 2001 to 2003 by
patients unique identifier. Socioeconomic cost included
both direct cost and indirect cost: the direct cost was injuryrelated
medical expenditure and the indirect cost included
loss of productivity due to healthcare utilization and
premature death.
Results : The socioeconomic cost of injuries in Korea was
approximately 1.9% of the GDP from 2001 to 2003. That is,
12.1 trillion KRW (Korean Won) in 2001, 12.3 trillion KRW in
2002, and 13.7 trillion KRW in 2003. In 2003, direct medical
costs were 24.6% (3.4 trillion KRW), the costs for loss of
productivity by healthcare utilization were 13.0% (1.8 trillion
KRW), and the costs for loss of productivity by premature
death were 62.4% (8.6 trillion KRW).
Conclusions : In this study, the socioeconomic cost of
injuries in Korea between 2001 and 2003 was estimated by
using not only health insurance claims data, but also
automobile insurance, IACI claims and mortality data. We
conclude that social efforts are required to reduce the
socioeconomic cost of injuries in Korea, which represented
approximately 1.9% of the GDP for the time period
specified.