Unveiling the economic value of equitable care for the traumatically injured: is it cost-effective to decrease trauma disparities?

Abstract

In the USA, traumatic injury results in a significant financial burden, which is unevenly distributed in our society. In this paper, we will highlight some of the data around the costs of injury associated with a focus on socially vulnerable and historically resilient groups at risk for disparate outcomes. We delve into the concept of economic return on investment from multiple perspectives: the patient perspective, the community perspective and from a national and policy perspective. Targeted policy changes and dedicated efforts towards minimizing gaps in trauma care and enhancing survivorship can yield substantial economic benefits. This paper also describes several national funding agencies and their current priorities related to funding in equity and trauma research. This manuscript will demonstrate that reducing disparities in trauma care not only serves a moral imperative but also a necessary and financially sound strategy with a good economic return on investment.