Years of potential life lost and lost future productivity due to occupational fatalities--Alaska, 1990-1994.

INTRODUCTION

Alaska had the highest occupational fatality rate of any state for the 1980s. The impact of these events is estimated by the index of years of potential life lost before age 65 (YPLL), which was developed to measure the potentially preventable mortality occurring early in life.

METHODS

Lost future productivity (wages) and YPLL were calculated from surveillance statistics for all workers killed on the job during this 5-year period.

RESULTS

During 1990-1994, Alaska experienced 343 work-related deaths among civilians under age 65. YPLL was 9,690 years with an estimated lost future productivity of $367,000,000.

DISCUSSION

Premature death due to occupational traumatic injury in Alaska for 1990-1994 was extremely costly to society. Premature death not only adversely affects the deceased workers' family, friends, and coworkers, but also society economically. Effective intervention strategies are needed to significantly reduce both the number and the cost of fatal occupational trauma in Alaska.