It is already established that the burden of injury is disproportionately larger among Māori compared with non-Māori. Moreover, the impact of injury can be exacerbated by subsequent injuries, i.e. injuries that occur after, but not necessarily because of, an earlier or ‘sentinel’ injury. The Subsequent Injury Study analysed interview, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and hospital discharge data within a 24-month period, to determine the number and timing of subsequent injuries experienced by Māori and reported to the ACC in the 24 months following a sentinel injury, the proportions who experienced subsequent injuries, and the nature of subsequent injuries. Of the 566 Māori in this analysis, two-thirds (62%) experienced ≥1 subsequent injury in the 24 months after the sentinel injury. Subsequent injuries were more common among those who drank moderate or high amounts of alcohol, or in those who had cognitive difficulties, before the sentinel injury. There were fewer subsequent injuries between 0–3 months after a sentinel injury than during later periods. Subsequent injuries were most commonly spine dislocations, sprains and strains.
