Socioeconomic equity measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation for HEMS-attended major trauma in South…

Cohort studyEmergency medicine journal : EMJ· Aug 2026

Socioeconomic equity measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation for HEMS-attended major trauma in South East England: heterogenous effects in severe traumatic brain injury.

Joanne Griggs, Jenny Harris, Jack Barrett … Richard Lyon

Prehospital & RetrievalCohort studyQ1IF 1.5

Socioeconomic deprivation showed no association with mortality after helicopter-attended major trauma.

Socioeconomic equity measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation for HEMS-attended major trauma in South East England: heterogenous effects in severe traumatic brain injury.

Joanne Griggs … Richard Lyon

Emergency medicine journal · Aug 2026 · Q1 in Emergency Medicine

Background

Healthcare inequalities persist across socioeconomic gradients with deprived populations experiencing higher trauma mortality.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine whether 30-day mortality differs across socioeconomic deprivation quintiles in Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) attended major trauma and to assess equity of intervention delivery and operational response.

Methods

Retrospective service evaluation cohort study of consecutive Helicopter Emergency Medical Service-attended major trauma patients (Injury Severity Score (Injury Severity Score)>15) by Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey and Sussex (July 2013-February 2022).

n = 1752 major trauma patients

Results

deprivation level did not predict higher or lower mortality risk

17%

Q1

21%

Q5

More results

Among 1752 major trauma patients (median Injury Severity Score 27, IQR 21-36) geospatial analysis identified missions in 1190 Layer Super Output Area codes (10.5% of region), with clustering in areas of moderate deprivation.

30-day mortality showed no socioeconomic gradient: 17% (95% CI 12% to 25%) in Q1 vs 21% (95% CI 17% to 25%) in Q5, p=0.861.

More results

Secondary outcomes demonstrated equitable service provision with prehospital emergency anaesthesia 37-43% (p=0.667), blood transfusion 8-13% (p=0.321) and night operations 28-41% (p=0.124).

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Equitable 30-day mortality outcomes were achieved across socioeconomic quintiles within the operational region examined.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

A regional Helicopter Emergency Medical Service may mitigate health inequalities in major trauma, though complete equity requires addressing broader social determinants of health.

Socioeconomic equity measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation for HEMS-attended major trauma in South East England: heterogenous effects in severe traumatic brain injury.

Socioeconomic equity measured by Indices of Multiple Deprivation for HEMS-attended major trauma in South East England: heterogenous effects in severe traumatic brain injury.

Related papers