Deaths due to accidents in Taiwan: A possible indicator of development

In the period 1960–1977 accidents have gone from the 7th to 3rd leading cause of death in Taiwan. This change is measured by the change in the number of accident related deaths, crude death rates per 100,000, and percent of deaths due to accidents. Three hypotheses are evaluated to explain the role of accidents in the epidemiological profile of Taiwan: the notion of the epidemiological transition. Chinese character traits, and culture in disequilibrium. Hypothesis evaluation includes specifying the person variables of age, sex, and occupation as well as when and where accidents occur. Increased deaths due to accidents are related to a changed environment and risk taking. Implications of the role of accidents in Taiwan's epidemiological profile include possible use of the epidemiological transition to measure development, and the heed for an intervention strategy. Intervention strategies include environmental modification and supplying emergency medical care. The need of some intervention is indicated by labor shortages and potential years of life lost.