On June 15, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that South Korea’s preventable trauma death rate dropped to 9.1% in 2023. This marks a significant decline from 30.5% in 2015, reaching a single-digit figure for the first time. The preventable trauma death rate indicates the proportion of trauma deaths that could have been avoided with timely and appropriate treatment, serving as a key indicator of the accessibility and quality of trauma care. The improvement is largely attributed to the expansion of regional trauma centers and the establishment of a robust trauma care system.
Since 2015, the Ministry has conducted nationwide research every two years, with the latest being the fifth survey. The 2023 study analyzed trauma death statistics from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) and reviewed 1,294 trauma death cases from 305 medical institutions by expert panels. The number of regional trauma centers increased from 8 in 2015 to 17 in 2023, and the preventable trauma death rate fell from 30.5% to 9.1% over the same period. The Gyeonggi-Incheon region recorded the lowest rate at 6.4%, while Daejeon-Chungcheong-Gangwon-Sejong saw the largest improvement, dropping by 8.1 percentage points.
All regions showed improvements in preventable trauma death rates, but some areas had low data submission rates from medical institutions, possibly leading to underestimation. Submission rates varied by region, with Gwangju at 57.1%, Busan at 60.9%, and Seoul at 73.8%. Dr. Kyungwon Jung, head of Ajou University Hospital’s Regional Trauma Center, noted that regions with lower submission rates might have underestimated results. The Ministry plans to enhance data accuracy by increasing submission rates in future evaluations.
The study also assessed the economic value of establishing and operating regional trauma centers. From 2012 to 2023, the total cost was estimated at 671.7 billion KRW, while the number of lives saved reached 14,176. Applying the Value of Statistical Life (VSL), the benefits ranged from 3.5 trillion to 19.6 trillion KRW, with a benefit-cost ratio of 5.21 to 29.11. The Ministry aims to further strengthen the trauma care system by designating key regional centers and enhancing helicopter emergency services.
This report provides concrete evidence that expanding regional trauma centers and enhancing trauma care systems significantly improve survival rates. The high benefit-cost ratio underscores the societal value of government investment in medical infrastructure. Continued efforts to improve data accuracy and address regional disparities will be crucial for further reducing preventable trauma deaths and optimizing policy effectiveness.