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Costs and claims of traumatic brain injuries in New Zealand 2017-2023: a study based on national insurance data
Doug King1,2,3,4,5, Patria A Hume1,2,3,6, A Theadom3
1Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Objectives:
To comprehensively describe the epidemiology of traumatic brain injuries in New Zealand and identify trends over time.
Methods:
Epidemiological study of the incidence of TBI (of all severities) in New Zealand based on a national injury database. Data extracted from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) database, covered all TBI claims in New Zealand between 2017-2023 (seven years). The number of claims, types of injuries, costs associated with these injuries, and demographic information of the claimants were extracted.
Results:
The total incidence of TBI claims has increased from 745 per 100,000 population in 2017 to 1028 per 100,000 in 2023. The total number of claims rose by 48.6% from 36,179 in 2017 to 53,731 in 2023. The NZ population increased by 9.2% over this timeframe. Males had a higher incidence (965 per 100,000) compared to females (795 per 100,000), although claims for females increased at a higher rate over time. Falls were the leading cause of claims (39.5%), followed by sports (31.6%), motor vehicle accidents (20.0%), and assaults (8.9%).
Conclusions:
The incidence and costs of TBI are increasing, faster than population growth. This may reflect increased awareness and confidence in health care practitioners to provide treatment post-TBI improving injury reporting.
