Learning from the past to prevent avoidable loss in the future Summary of the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee’s 11th data report, 2010–14

Introduction Summary of key data from report. Most data cover 2010–14. Data primarily from the Mortality Review Database. Full data report 

What does the CYMRC do? We review deaths of children and young people aged 28 days to 24 years through our local review groups. Our aim  to find ways to prevent such deaths in the future.

We look for national trends and patterns. We recommend policies and initiatives agencies can develop to keep children and young people safe and healthy. What does the CYMRC do?

The good news… Child and youth deaths are decreasing  620 deaths, 2014  488 deaths. Fewer deaths due to motor vehicle crashes in 15  24-year-olds. Fewer deaths from nearly all other causes in BUT plenty of work still to be done.

Key findings from report

How are our kids dying?

Mortality varies by age and ethnicity

Poverty causes more than just hardship

The main causes of death change with age

The good news The number of deaths overall is reducing.

Note: Numerator: Statistics New Zealand prior to 2002, and CYMRC from 2002 onwards.

Key messages about preventable deaths SUDI Pertussis (whooping cough) Driveway run-overs

SUDI Many deaths are preventable by making sure the baby is in a safe sleep space, every sleep.

A safe sleep space is: free from other people who might lie over the baby free from gaps that could trap or wedge the baby firm flat free from objects that might cover the face or cause strangulation or the baby’s head coming forward free to breathe free from tobacco smoke.

Pertussis (whooping cough) Very young babies are at the most risk of harm from pertussis. Most babies who die from pertussis become sick before they are old enough to have vaccinations. Maternal immunisation in late pregnancy (the third trimester) protects unborn babies until they are old enough to have their own vaccinations.

Driveway run-overs Toddlers are small and hard to see when backing a car. Don’t let children play on the driveway. Know where children are if backing out of a driveway. Check for me before you turn the key

Acknowledgements NZ Mortality Review Data Group at the University of Otago, which wrote the report. Safekids Aotearoa for kind use of the driveway photo.

Source Numerator: NZ Mortality Review Database. Denominators: Ministry of Health Live Births, and NZ MRDG Estimated Resident Population 2010–14.