Injury Burden

The burden of injuries.

On average, injuries are responsible for 6 deaths per day in Alberta, making injury the leading cause of death for Albertans aged 10 to 49. In a year, almost 35,000 Albertans are admitted to hospital for injuries - enough to fill Edmonton’s Rogers Place twice! Another 501,000 are seen in emergency departments for injury.

The real-time cost counter on our home page estimates the current cost of injuries to the healthcare system in Alberta. The $5 billion in direct healthcare costs for injuries, tallied for the 2022 fiscal year, is divided into dollars spent per second and is incrementally counting since 1 January, 2025. When the indirect costs of an injury are taken into account, such as lost wages, the toll increases to over $7 billion dollars each year.

The cost of these injuries continues to grow, and has increased by 76% since 2010. The vast majority of injuries in Alberta are both predictable and preventable.

Financial burden.

Injuries can be very expensive, even in Canada. While basic medical care is usually covered by provincial health plans, there are still many out-of-pocket expenses. These can include things like prescription medications, medical equipment, rehabilitation or physiotherapy, child care, and home care services - not all of which are fully covered. If you're unable to work due to your injury, lost income can make things even harder. Some people may need to modify their homes or vehicles, or rely on help from others for daily tasks. Over time, these additional costs can place a heavy financial strain on individuals and families.

Preventable injuries cost the Canadian economy $29.4 billion in a single year... The human cost of injury brings pain, suffering and diminished health and well‑being to individuals, families and communities.”

Parachute

Societal burden.

Injuries don't just affect the person who is hurt, but also affect society as a whole. When people get injured, they might need medical care, which puts pressure on hospitals and healthcare systems. If many people are injured, it can strain the resources available, making it harder for others to get treatment. Injuries can also reduce the number of people working, which hurts businesses and the economy. Families might need to spend more time caring for injured members, which can impact their well-being. Overall, injuries can lead to higher costs for society, fewer workers, and more stress on public services.

The burden of injury

(2023)

6

DEATHS PER DAY FROM INJURY

35,000

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS PER YEAR

501,000

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS

Hospital admission costs. (2023) [CDN$]

The financial burden of injuries is immense. Hospital admissions for injuries cost more than cancers ($130 million), cardiac events ($197 million), and respiratory events ($58 million). This staggering financial burden underscores a critical point: the vast majority of injuries in Alberta are both predictable and preventable. Investing in prevention not only saves lives and reduces suffering, but also significantly eases the strain on our healthcare system.

Resources.

Get social.

Use these hashtags on social media to discuss the injury burden.

#BurdenOfInjury #PublicHealth

Updated 20 August, 2025.

These Lands.

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the territory of the Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway / Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.

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