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Cost-of-Injury Analysis

Cost-of-injury analysis (also referred to as cost-of-illness or cost-of-failure analysis) attempts to estimate the economic impact of child abuse and neglect on society (or on a local community). In other words, how much does it cost when a community fails to prevent child abuse and neglect?

These analyses frequently estimate both direct and indirect costs associated with child maltreatment. Direct costs include those associated with addressing the immediate needs of maltreated children. They might include:

• Hospitalization for severe injuries resulting from abuse and neglect
• Medical treatment (such as physician visits, emergency department visits, outpatient clinics, dental visits, physical therapy, etc.) for health problems resulting from abuse and neglect
• Mental health treatment for issues resulting from abuse and neglect
• Child welfare services to intervene in existing cases of child abuse and neglect
• Law enforcement and judicial system costs associated with intervention

Indirect costs include those associated with the long-term and secondary effects of maltreatment, as well as productivity losses for the abused child (missing school) or parent/caretaker (needing to attend criminal hearings or stay home with an injured child). Examples of indirect costs include:

• Special education costs
• Treatment for chronic physical and mental health problems as a result of child abuse and neglect
• Costs of increased juvenile delinquency and adult criminality
• Lost productivity to society (due to decreased earning potential, unemployment, or premature death)
• Costs associated with treatment of increased substance abuse
• Costs associated with interventions for domestic violence resulting from child maltreatment

Selected Resources Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States (PDF - 168 KB) Prevent Child Abuse America (2007) Outlines direct and indirect costs of responding to the impact of child abuse and neglect both by the victims and their families and by society. Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States (PDF - 168 KB) Prevent Child Abuse America (2007) Outlines direct and indirect costs of responding to the impact of child abuse and neglect both by the victims and their families and by society. Saving Lives, Saving Dollars: Mitigating the Impact of Child Maltreatment (PDF - 318 KB) Department of Extension Home Economics, New Mexico State University (2006) Focuses on the physical, psychoemotional, and behavioral impact of child maltreatment; estimated direct and indirect financial costs to society; the long-term socioeconomic impact of abuse and neglect; and strategies for prevention and intervention. The Economic Burden of Hospitalizations Associated with Child Abuse and Neglect Rovi, Chen, & Johnson American Journal of Public Health, 94(4), 2004 View Abstract Study comparing inpatient stays resulting from child abuse or neglect with stays of other hospitalized children. The Cost of Child Maltreatment: Who Pays? We All Do Franey, Geffner, & Falconer (Eds.) (2001) View Abstract Summarizes findings from research about child maltreatment, including estimates of the indirect and direct monetary costs of abuse to society. Measuring Costs of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Mathematic Model of Specific Cost Estimations Conrad Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 29(1/2), 2006 View Abstract Offers a model for calculating the actual costs of child abuse and neglect based on direct, indirect, and opportunity costs associated with each case.

Updated on December 7, 2007