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Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Murine Model of Controlled Cortical Impact for the Induction of Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 16, 2019
Major trauma in working-age adults in New Zealand
Monica F Judge1, Bridget Kool2, Ian Civil3
1Waipapa Taumata Rau - The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Aim:
To describe the demographic and injury profile of major trauma among 20-65-year-old New Zealanders.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of routinely collected data from the New Zealand Major Trauma Registry for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2020 was conducted. Sex, age and ethnicity-based rates were then calculated using census-based population estimates to compare the rates of injury across different demographic groups.
Results:
Of the 4,186 major trauma incidents among 20-65-year-olds in New Zealand during the 3-year period reviewed, 235 died (5.6%). Males accounted for 77% of those injured. Māori (New Zealand's Indigenous population) had significantly higher rates of major trauma (79.2 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval [CI] 74.4-84.3) compared to non-Māori (44.4 per 100,000; 95% CI 42.9-46.0). The most common cause of injury was transport-related incidents (63%; n=2,632/4,186), followed by falls (19%; n=788/4,186).
Conclusions:
Demographic characteristics have a significant relationship with major trauma injuries among 20-65-year-old New Zealanders. Continued injury prevention efforts focussing on males, Māori and transport incidents are required. Interventions that improve the safety of roads, such as lane separators, speed limits and raised intersections, should be implemented in high-crash-risk areas to reduce risk.
