Māori experienced the highest rates of trauma injury hospitalisations in Te Manawa Taki health region - which stretches from Taranaki to Tairāwhiti - over the past decade, a new study in the NZ Medical Journal reveals.
“Notable differences in incidence rates were found, with Māori experiencing the highest rates.”
The retrospective study by experts associated with Te Whatu Ora’s Te Manawa Taki Trauma Research Centre is the first to detail the epidemiology - occurrence and distribution - of trauma patients across ethnic groups of all ages and severities in a specific health region over the 10 years from 2013 to 2022.
The study found that of the 60,753 trauma patients admitted to hospitals in the region’s five district health areas - Taranaki, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti - 18,015 or almost 30% (29.7%) were Māori.
By comparison, 39,291 (64.7%) were European and other ethnic group, 1,998 (3.3%) Asian and 1,411 (2.3%) Pacific.
The study highlighted that Māori males experience high rates of injury and that falls account for the majority of Māori injuries. Furthermore, assault was identified as the second main cause of injury for Māori, ahead of traffic crashes.
“Regardless of ethnicity, males had higher hospitalisation rates for any trauma than females. Rates were higher for Māori and Pacific men.”
For Māori, the top three causes of trauma injuries were falls (5,581, 31.0%), assaults (2,177, 12.1%) and traffic crashes (2,111, 11.7%).
“Regardless of ethnicity, falls and road traffic crashes were among the top three causes of all severities.
“Among Māori and Pacific peoples, assault was one of the top three causes of injury.”
‘Culturally sensitive’ approach
The study’s authors - Ishani Soysa, Sheena Moosa and Grant Christey - note that Māori are recognised as having an increased vulnerability to trauma.
“Research indicates that certain ethnic groups experience a disproportionate burden of trauma compared to others. Māori, as the Indigenous population of Aotearoa New Zealand, have been identified as particularly vulnerable to trauma.
“Historical and ongoing socio-economic disparities, coupled with cultural factors, contribute to higher rates of injury among Māori communities.”
The authors acknowledge that socio-economic factors are considerations in injury risk.
“Māori populations in Aotearoa New Zealand often face socio-economic disadvantages, including lower income, poorer housing and limited access to education and healthcare.
“These factors can elevate trauma risk through unsafe working conditions, inadequate housing and limited access to preventive healthcare.”
The study highlights the need for a culturally sensitive approach.
“Addressing ethnic disparities in trauma hospitalisations in Aotearoa New Zealand requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses upstream interventions to address socio-economic inequalities, culturally sensitive healthcare delivery, targeted injury prevention strategies and efforts to address systemic biases within the healthcare system.”
