State-wise Economic Burden of Road Traffic Accidents in India

IntroductionRoad traffic accidents (RTA) cause multifarious detrimental consequences, including fatality and serious injuries. RTAs cause considerable financial strain on healthcare systems with high costs of medical care, long-term care for the injured, and lost productivity. To assess this burden, we estimated state-wise economic costs of RTA in India. We followed CHEERS Checklist 2022 to present studys methods and outcomes. MethodsData were obtained from Global Burden of Disease Injuries and Risk Factors study, Government of Indias budget documents, annual reports of National Health Authority, controller general of accounts, and Economic Surveys. Cost per disability-adjusted life years (DALY), direct costs, indirect costs and total costs associated with RTA burden were estimated for India and by its states. ResultsRTA burden declined in all Indian states except Jammu and Kashmir (with a minor increase from 1,458 to 1,564 DALYs per 100,000) and Rajasthan (from 1,275 to 1,394 DALYs per 100,000) during 2010-19 period. Estimated mean cost per DALY in India due to RTA (95%CI) was {square}1,821({square}1,606 to {square}2,036) [US$ 22(19 to 24)] with a median (IQR) of {square}1,609(551) [US$ 19 (7)]. As of 2019, the estimated mean total cost of RTA burden in India was {square}1,017 billion [US$ 12 billion], with a median (IQR) of {square}731 billion(1,220 billion) [US$ 9 billion(15 billion)]. ConclusionBurden of RTAs declined across the Indian States during 2010-2019, and same was not observed with fiscal implications. The study reiterates the need for strategic road safety interventions to ameliorate socio-economic and health impacts of RTAs in India.