This manual provides a general framework and guidelines for estimating the national economic burden of injuries caused by interpersonal and self-directed violence. Calculating the economic burden of injuries contrasts with other ways of estimating disease burden, which usually focus on health effects on individuals. The guide can be used by economists, public health experts and researchers to conduct studies that estimate the economic burden of these injuries. The guide includes detailed instructions for calculating costs, the minimum data that are required, case studies of cost estimates in various countries, a sample questionaire for patients, and a data sheet for hospital costs.