@article{ref1,
title="Head injury incidence and mortality in New Zealand over 10 years",
journal="Neuroepidemiology",
year="2013",
author="Kool, Bridget and Chelimo, Carol and Ameratunga, Shanthi N.",
volume="41",
number="3-4",
pages="189-197",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Although reducing the burden of head injuries is an important focus of several injury prevention initiatives, they remain a large proportion of injury-related deaths. In New Zealand, trends over time and the socio-economic distribution of the cause-specific incidence of head injuries have received little attention.   METHODS: We analyzed primary hospitalizations (2000-2009) and deaths (1999-2008) due to head injury using national mortality and hospital discharge databases, specifically exploring variations in age-specific rates by major causes over time and by socio-economic deprivation. Population-based incidence rate estimates were calculated using census denominators.   RESULTS: Children aged <5 years and adults aged ≥65 years had the highest rates of hospitalization and mortality, respectively. Transport-related incidents and falls were the leading causes, with most fatal injuries occurring on roads and most hospitalized injuries occurring at home. There was a significant increase in mortality rates among older adults over the decade, and in most age groups, mortality rates increased with increasing levels of socio-economic deprivation.   CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review alongside the significant risks of premature death and disability reinforce the need to explore policies that address the specific causes as well as socio-economic inequalities in their distribution in New Zealand. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0251-5350",
doi="10.1159/000354782",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000354782"
}