Costs and claims of traumatic brain injuries in New Zealand 2017-2023: a study based on national insurance data.

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.