New online resource to help prevent injuries

ACC media release

25 July 2013

New online resource to help Kiwi communities prevent injuries

Injury Comparison Reports, which provide communities across New Zealand with a comprehensive picture of local injury rates and trends, are now available on ACC’s website.

The 72 reports – one for each territorial authority – will help ACC and communities prioritise and plan local injury prevention initiatives.

John Beaglehole, ACC’s General Manager of Insurance and Prevention Services, says “The reports provide a wealth of information, from overall ACC claims rates to data for priority areas such as work, falls, assaults, motor vehicles and water sports.

“The reports also break down local ACC claims into categories such as the accident scene, cause of injury and activity prior to the accident.

Mr Beaglehole says that here in New Zealand, we have unparalleled insights into injuries and their causes, through the comprehensive data collected by ACC.

“We’re really keen to share our data and make the best possible use of it. ACC has a big role to play in helping to prevent injuries, but so do lots of other parties, including Government agencies, local Councils and non-Government organisations. We want to help everyone involved as best we can, to make Kiwi communities safer.”

The ACC data in the reports is complemented by statistics sourced from the Police, NZTA and Statistics New Zealand. This enables a more detailed picture to be provided of where and how injuries are happening.

“For example, ACC doesn’t collect information as specific as what street a vehicle related injury happens on. But by matching our claims data with NZTA data, we can show details such as the cost of injuries on particular streets.

Mr Beaglehole says the reports will be revised on a yearly basis, and ACC is exploring ways to enhance them in the future, such as enabling users to create their own customised reports.

ACC is grateful for the support provided by the Police, NZTA and Statistics New Zealand towards this important initiative.

“This is a great example of agencies working together in the best interests of the community.”

The Injury Comparison Reports are available at: www.acc.co.nz/communities

ENDS

© Scoop Media