Citation

Etter IB. Public Health Rep. (1974) 1987; 102(6): 634-635.

Affiliation

National Safety Council (USA)

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, Association of Schools of Public Health)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The cost of injuries must be considered by health and safety professionals and others who are involved in making public policy and setting priorities. Because of the growing emphasis on fiscal responsibility, annual estimates of injury costs can be as meaningful and relevant to safety and health professionals as data on injury incidence and severity.

This paper is a brief introduction to the philosophical foundations of the National Safety Council's cost estimates, their scope, and the definitions of some cost elements. The term "injury" as used in this paper means only unintentional injuries. Council estimates do not include the costs of suicide, homicide, or occupational illnesses. "Accident" as used in this paper means an event that results in unintentional injury or property damage.