ONE-YEAR ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTS IN A SWEDISH MUNICIPALITY

The objectives of this study were to develop a system to calculate the economic consequences of accidents and to account for the economic co nsequences of all accidents during 1 year in a district. A total popul ation injury survey was done in an area with a population of over 41,0 00. All accidents (N=4926) occurring within a 12-month period and requ iring medical care were noted. The costs (calculated at 1991 prices) t o the health care service (outpatient care, including primary health c are and hospital care) were SEK 23.7 million (US$3.59 million), to tra de and industry SEK 79.7 million (US$12.08 million), and for health in surance SEK 9.1 million (US$1.38 million). The cost for society of uni nsured people is not possible to estimate using loss of production. Ho wever, the time lost from ''normal activities'' was registered. If thi s time is valued at the same price as working hours, a welfare cost of SEK 43.1 million (US$6.53 million) should be added. In a forthcoming paper, an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of interventions agains t accidents will be published.