THE INCIDENCE OF HIP-FRACTURES IN MAORI AND NON-MAORI IN NEW-ZEALAND

Aims. To investigate the incidence of hip fractures in Maori and nonMaori in New Zealand. Methods. The number of femoral neck fractures in patients over 60 in New Zealand for the years 1989-91 were obtained. The population data for 1991 was obtained from the 1990 census. The number of fractures was standardised for age, and the rate of fractures per 100 000 of population calculated. Results. The age standardised rates of hip fracture per 100 000 of population 1989-91 for Maori males was 197, Maori females 516, nonMaori males 288 and nonMaori females 827. These rates were higher than the rates recorded between 1973 and 1975. Conclusions. The age-specific hip fracture rate is rising in New Zealand. However in Maori males the rate is not rising.