Reduced participation in paid work is prevalent for Māori after an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) entitlement claim injury, and particular characteristics of subsequent injuries impact on participation in paid work 12 months after the sentinel injury. These were the findings of the Subsequent Injury Study, which utilised data from an earlier study of New Zealanders with an ACC entitlement claim injury. Eligible participants for the current study were identified from the 405 Māori participants interviewed at 12 months, of whom 32% sustained at least one ACC subsequent injury, and 16% reported reduced participation in unpaid work. Of the eligible participants working for pay at the time of their sentinel injury, 35% reported reduced participation in paid work. Types of subsequent injury independently predictive of reduced participation in paid work were injury resulting from an assault (adjusted relative risk [RR] 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-4.9), injury involving an entitlement claim (adjusted RR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1-3.4), >1 subsequent injury (adjusted RR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1-3.6), and a non-work-related subsequent injury (adjusted RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0-2.7). These findings are important for future injury prevention strategies and supporting return to work rehabilitation programmes for Māori, the study authors noted.
