Assault mortality
Note: The data and text for this section is sourced in whole or in part from the following report: Ministry of Social Development (2008), Children and Young People: Indicators of Wellbeing in New Zealand 2008. Wellington: Ministry of Social Development.
Definition
The number of young people aged 15 to 24 who have died as a result of assault per 100,000 population in this age group.
Relevance
Reducing interpersonal violence in families and communities is critical to social and personal wellbeing. In comparison with other age groups, young people are particularly vulnerable to death due to intentional injury or assault.
Current level and trends
The five-year annual assault death rate for young people aged 15 to 24 fell between 1986 and 2000, before rising slightly in the five years to 2005.
The five-year average annual assault death rate for young people in the period 2001 to 2005 was 2.2 deaths per 100,000 population aged 15 to 24. This equates to 62 deaths over the five-year period.
It should be noted that rates based on small numbers are volatile, and trends can be difficult to discern over the short term, even when averaged over a number of years.
Five-year average annual assault mortality rate for young people aged 15 to 24, 1986-2005
Source: Ministry of Health, New Zealand Health Information Service.
Note: 2005 data is provisional.
