Does health status matter for the risk of injury?

Background: Poor health status as a risk factor for injury has not been well elucidated. This study aims to investigate the overall risk of injury and the association between health status and risk of injury in New Zealand.

Methods: We used data from the Survey of Families, Income and Employment (SoFIE) (n=18,955).

Ethnic counts on mortality and census data (mostly) agree for 2001-2004: New Zealand Census-Mortality Study update.

Background: The New Zealand Census-Mortality Study (NZCMS) previously demonstrated substantial undercounting of Maori and Pacific deaths on mortality data relative to census data for the 1980s and 1990s. The recent linkage of 2001-04 mortality data to 2001 census data allows us to determine whether any such 'numerator-denominator' bias persists.

Methods: 2001 census anonymously and probabilistically linked to 3 years of subsequent mortality data (82,404 eligible mortality records), allowing a comparison of ethnicity recording.

What is the contribution of smoking and socioeconomic position to ethnic inequalities in mortality in New Zealand?

Background: Mortality rates for Māori are twice those for non-Māori in New Zealand. We have assessed the contribution of tobacco smoking and socioeconomic position to these inequalities in 45-74-year-old census respondents during 1981-84 and 1996-99 (2.3 and 2.

Trends in colorectal cancer mortality by ethnicity and socio-economic position in New Zealand, 1981-99: one country, many stories.

Background: Ethnicity and socio-economic position are important determinants of colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. In this paper, we determine trends in colorectal cancer mortality by ethnicity and socio-economic position in New Zealand.

Methods: Cohort studies of the entire New Zealand population for 1981-84, 1986-89, 1991-94 and 1996-99 (linking Census and mortality datasets) allowed direct determination of trends in CRC mortality by income and education.

Are mortality differences and trends by education any better or worse in New Zealand? A comparison study with Norway, Denmark and Finland, 1980-1990s.

Unlabelled: During the 1980s and early 1990s New Zealand experienced major social and economic change, decreasing all-cause mortality rates for the majority ethnic group, and high (but falling) cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates. This paper explores whether inequalities in mortality by education were greater, and increased more, in New Zealand than in Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway), and determines the contribution of CVD to these differences and trends.

Methods: We used mortality rates for 30-59 year olds by education, and slope (SII) and relative (RII) indices of inequality, calculated from comparable linked census mortality data.

Varying evolution of the New Zealand lung cancer epidemic by ethnicity and socioeconomic position (1981-1999).

Aim: Tobacco use and resultant health effects have been described as an epidemic that progresses through the population. This paper aims to describe and explain trends in lung cancer mortality by ethnicity and socioeconomic position in New Zealand between 1981-1999.

Methods: Cohort studies of the entire New Zealand population for 1981-84, 1986-89, 1991-94, and 1996-99 (linking census and mortality datasets) allowed direct determination of trends in lung mortality by income and education.

Bias measuring mortality gradients by occupational class in New Zealand.

Background: Socioeconomic differences in mortality in New Zealand have traditionally been measured using occupational class from mortality data (based on usual or last occupation) as the numerator, and class from census data (current occupation on census night) as the denominator. Such analyses are prone to numerator-denominator bias. Record linkage of census and mortality data in the New Zealand Census-Mortality Study (NZCMS) allows analyses of 'linked' data that will avoid numerator-denominator bias, but may be prone to other biases.

Income and mortality: the shape of the association and confounding New Zealand Census-Mortality Study, 1981-1999.

Objective: To determine the shape of the income-mortality association, before and after adjusting for confounding by other socioeconomic variables.

Methods: Poisson regression analyses were conducted on 11.7 million years of follow-up of 25-59 year old New Zealand census respondents spanning four separate cohort studies (1981-1984, 1986-1989, 1991-1994, and 1996-1999).

Health effects of dental amalgam exposure: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Whether dental amalgam fillings (containing mercury) are hazardous is a long-standing issue, with few epidemiological investigations. Allegations have particularly involved nervous system disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome. This retrospective cohort study, the largest of its kind, contained people in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) between 1977 and 1997.

Follow-up methods for retrospective cohort studies in New Zealand.

Objectives: To define a general methodology for maximising the success of follow-up processes for retrospective cohort studies in New Zealand, and to illustrate an approach to developing country-specific follow-up methodologies.

Methods: We recently conducted a cohort study of mortality and cancer incidence in New Zealand professional fire fighters. A number of methods were used to trace vital status, including matching with records of the New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS), pension records of Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ), and electronic electoral rolls.