THE NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL        NZMJ 2 August 2013, Vol 126 No 1379; ISSN 1175 8716 Page 1 of 11 URL: http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/126-1379/5760/ ©NZMA Injury severity and 3-month outcomes among Mori: results from a New Zealand prospective cohort study Brett Maclennan, Emma Wyeth, Brendan Hokowhitu, Suzanne Wilson, Sarah Derrett Abstract Aims To examine the prevalence of health and social outcomes pre- and 3 months post-injury, and the association between New Injury Severity Scores (NISS) and 3- month outcomes, for the Mori cohort of the Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study. Methods New Zealand residents were recruited from the Accident Compensation Corporation’s entitlement claims register and participants interviewed at 3 months post-injury. Those who reported Mori ethnicity (n=566) were included in the Mori cohort. Results States indicative of favourable health were less prevalent among the cohort post-injury than pre-injury for all measures examined. Approximately half the cohort were experiencing difficulties walking 3 months after their injury, over two-thirds a level of pain or discomfort, and more than half a level of psychological distress. The prevalence of disability was 49%. The prevalence of some adverse outcomes increased with increasing NISS but a high level of problems were still experienced by those classified as having a ‘minor’ injury. Nonetheless, a majority of the cohort were satisfied with life and they considered themselves to be of good to excellent overall health. Conclusions Findings emphasise the importance of injury prevention and appropriate post-injury care to reduce the burden experienced by Mori due to injury. Injury is a leading contributor to the burden of death and disability in several countries including New Zealand. 1 The 2006 New Zealand Household Disability Survey found that one in six residents aged 15 years and over was living with a disability. In nearly one-third of cases injury was the reported cause, and among those aged 15-64 years it was the leading cause of disability. 2 Mori, New Zealand’s indigenous population, comprise 15% of the country’s total population 3 and experience a disproportionate burden following injury. Those aged 15-64 years are at greater risk of mortality (RR: 2.29) and hospitalisation (RR: 1.62) from unintentional injury than non-Mori in this age group. 4 Prevalence of disability due to injury is also higher among Mori (31.4%) than non- Mori (29.3%) aged 15 years and over. 5 Kingi and Bray have previously qualitatively explored Mori perceptions of disability with 15 participants. 6 Themes identified included the impact of colonial history on knowledge of Mori language and culture, difficulties of access to healthcare providers, traditional foods and resources, and the disabling effect of this impact on reaching and maintaining hauora (i.e., optimal health and well-being). Negative socioeconomic factors were also perceived as disabling, more so than functional impairment. 6 Their study points to the impact of