Home > Review Articles > Accident Compensation Corporation > Sport-related concussions in New Zealand: A review of 10 years of Accident Compensation Corporation moderate to severe claims and costs

Sport-related concussions in New Zealand: A review of 10 years of Accident Compensation Corporation moderate to severe claims and costs

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 50
Authors:
  • King D et al.
Summary:

These researchers analysed sport-related concussion and associated costs in New Zealand requiring medical treatment from 2001 to 2011 in 7 sports codes. Of 20,902 claims costing $NZD16,546,026 recorded over the study period, 1330 (6.4%) were moderate-to-severe (MSC) Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) claims. The mean yearly number and costs of MSC claims were 133 and $1,303,942. Rugby union recorded the highest number of MSC claims per year (38; 95% CI, 36 to 41 per 1000 MSC claims). New Zealand Māori had the highest total ($6,000,759) and mean cost ($21,120) per MSC claim.

Comment:
A few issues stood out for me in this paper. The ‘ethnicity question’ in the ACC form does not currently reflect ‘best practice’ and therefore the quality of data is limited, as the authors acknowledge. The incidence of moderate-severe concussion was higher for Māori than NZ Europeans playing rugby league; and lower for Māori than NZ Europeans playing rugby union. This seemed unusual. Finally, the call for further investigation to understand the high cost in managing MSC for Māori should probably start with the system factors, rather than individual ‘susceptibility’.
Reference: J Sci Med Sport 2014;17(3):250-5
Abstract
Download Article
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.

Related Articles

Ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of traumatic rotator cuff injuries in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic disparities in the treatment of traumatic rotator cuff injuries in Aotearoa/New Zealand

A large nationwide study has demonstrated the economic burden of rotator cuff injuries, as well

Find out more
Participation in paid and unpaid work one year after injury and the impact of subsequent injuries for Māori
Participation in paid and unpaid work one year after injury and the impact of subsequent injuries for Māori

Reduced participation in paid work is prevalent for Māori after an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

Find out more
My Home is My Marae: Kaupapa Māori evaluation of an approach to injury prevention
My Home is My Marae: Kaupapa Māori evaluation of an approach to injury prevention

Outcomes are reported from an evaluation of the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation’s (ACC) ‘My

Find out more
View All Reviews

Explore Māori Health Reviews

Dive into our publications and videos content from over 50 areas of medicine including Cardiology, Diabetes, Oncology, Haematology and Psychiatry. 

Reviews

It looks like you are closest to our Australia site.

Australia
Australia
Stay on this site
Find Reviews in Your Clinical Area
Please select your country of practice.
New Zealand
Australia
Terms and Conditions

Website terms of use 

By using our website, you agree to follow these terms and conditions. 

 

Privacy policy 

We take your privacy seriously. To understand how we collect, use, and protect your information, please read our Privacy Policy, which is part of these terms. 

 

Copyright and use of website content 

The content of our website is protected by copyright, trademarks, and other legal rights. You can: view, download, or print a single copy of content for your personal or professional use. 

You cannot:  copy, modify, or distribute website content, or use our website content for commercial purposes or in other works without permission. 

 

Links to third-party websites 

The Research Review website may link to third-party websites for your convenience. However: 

We do not endorse or approve their products, services, or actions. 

We are not responsible for their content or how they operate. 

There is no formal partnership between us and third parties unless we clearly state otherwise. 

 

Disclaimer and limitation of liability 

We do our best to keep the information on our website accurate, but we do not guarantee that it is always correct or up to date. 

To the fullest extent allowed by law, we are not responsible for: 

Any loss, damage, or costs you may suffer from using (or being unable to use) our website. 

Any decisions you make based on the information provided. 

Any business losses, such as lost profits, lost data, or business interruptions. 

 

Governing law 

These terms are governed by New Zealand law. If there is a dispute, it must be resolved in a New Zealand court.