機動車交通事故之死亡率、潛在生命年數損失及其貨幣價值

The objectives of this paper are to measure the mortality rates, years of potential life lost (YPLL's) and the loss of income from the death of motor vehicle accidents during 1972-1990, and to compare with those from malignant neoplasms and cerebrovascular disease (CVA). Data of demography (sex-, age-, specific population) and mortality were obtained from vital statistics, while income data were abstracted from the National Statistical Department and adjusted for annual productivity increase rate, discount rate, labor force participation rate, and unemployment rate. The result show that the time trend of cumulative mortality rate (CMR) from motor vehicle accidents has steadily increased during the last 19 years. The CMR before age 75 are 1.5 1%, 2.97%, and 3.28% in 1972, 1981, and 1990. The YPLL's from motor vehicle accidents are less than those from malignant neoplasms but greater than those from CVA. However, the WYPLL's (working years of potential life lost) and VYPLL's (valued years of potential life lost) from motor vehicle accidents are greater than those from the other two causes of death. The time trend of these YPLLs, WYPLLs, and VYPLL's from motor vehicle accidents have also increased during this period. The YPLL per 1,000 population are 5.82, 12.14, and 13.50 years in 1972, 1981, and 1990. The loss of wage income in 1990 from motor vehicle accidents, malignant neoplasms and CVA are estimated to be NT$18.3, 17.3 and 6.3 billions; but the numbers do not include the costs of medical and other impact of the family and society. We have also found that the first 24 hour mortality rates of motor vehicle accidents have decreased from 91% in 1972 down to 52% in 1989, which indicates an improvement of post-hospital emergency care. We conclude that our society should allocate more resource on the prevention of motor vehicle accidents and future research and policy should focus more on pre-hospital care and preventive strategy as well.