Background: Injury has been identified as a major health problem in China. Different quantitative measures based on the concept of years of potential life lost have been derived for assessing the burden of injury and other diseases. However, few studies have been conducted to compare the usefulness of these measures in terms of providing practical information. This study aims to examine the utility of different measures in assessing the impact of injury to Chinese society.
Methods: This is a population-based epidemiological study utilising surveillance and fielded-gathered data. Data are obtained from the disease surveillance information system and record on each death certificate. The mortality rates, years of potential life lost (YPLL), potentially years of productive life lost (PYPLL), and the valued years of potential life lost (VYPLL) are calculated and compared for deaths due to injury and other major diseases. Data on different causes of injury were analysed in the same manner.
Results: In comparison to other causes of death, injury deaths had the highest annual rates of YPLL (1265.1 years/100,000 persons), PYPLL (517.8 years/100,000 persons), and VYPLL (378.6 years/100,000 persons). Premature deaths due to injury provided the only positively valued VYPLL among all major causes of death. Among the injury deaths, motor vehicle traffic-related death caused the largest YPLL (13,274 years), PYPLL (5461 years), and VYPLL (3064 years).
Conclusion: In considering the burden of deaths to society, mortality rate only is an insufficient measure. The age, the years of overall life and expected productivity and related economic consequences have to be taken into consideration. As an indicator of the economic impact and burden of premature deaths to society, the VYPLL seems to be an advantageous utility. Injury posts the greatest public health problem to the developing economy of China.