Major trauma in working-age adults in 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. M & aacute;ori (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-M & aacute;ori (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, M & aacute;ori 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