Hospital morbidity due to head injuries in New Zealand in 1980-1988.

We studied the morbidity in New Zealand using hospital discharge data from 1980 to 1988, and found a reduced head injury (HI) rate over this time overall, but no change in the rate among Maori males and an increased rate among Maori females. In 1988 the rate was 228/100,000 with peaks among males and females aged under 10, males aged 15-25, and both sexes over 84 years old. The rate among young Maori males was higher than in other groups until the age of 55. Motor vehicle crashes caused most head injuries, followed by falls, non-intentional incidents (such as sporting injuries), assaults and pedal cycle accidents. Maori females had a high rate of assault. Hospital stay was longest among pedestrians, and increased with increasing age due to co-morbidity. Prevention strategies were based on the causes of HI.