SERIOUS INJURIES
Most serious childhood injuries are preventable. This indicator looks at the rates of hospitalisations due to serious injury - unintentional, self-harm and assault, for children and young people (aged 0-24 years) as well as child mortality rates.
Child injuries are a global public health problem. Injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalisation of children aged one to fourteen years in most developed nations. There is also high morbidity associated with childhood injuries: for every injured child who dies, more live on with varying degrees of disability. While children can never be entirely protected from injury, a significant proportion of the unintentional injuries that lead to death or hospitalisation are preventable, or could be controlled so that the severity of injury is reduced.
This indicator relates to the 'loved, safe and nurtured' outcome.
How will this be measured?
- The key measure for this indicator is the number of 'serious non-fatal' injuries per 100,000 children aged 0-24. This data is drawn from the Statistics New Zealand serious injury outcome indicators which uses national population estimates and administrative data from hospital discharges. This data can be found here https://wellbeingindicators.stats.govt.nz/en/injury-prevalence/ Also included are child and youth mortality rates by cause, drawn from the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee mortality data reports. For more information about the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee mortality data reports see: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/our-programmes/mrc/cymrc/publications-and-resources/publication/1311/
- Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee mortality data reports are updated annually in June and the serious injury outcome indicators are updated annually in October.
- This indicator will be updated annually in November.
For more information
- For more information about unintentional injuries, including evidenced prevention strategies, see: http://www.safekids.nz/Resources/ProdID/134
- If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, feeling down or overwhelmed, and are thinking about self-harm or suicide, help is available:
- Need to talk - free call or text 1377 any time, 24 hours a day. You'll get to talk or message a trained counsellor. This service is completely free.
- Youthline - free call 0800 376 633 or free text 234. Youthline is here to support young people.