Tuesday, March 30 2004
Improved Maori life expectancy vindicates targeted Maori health services
New figures reporting improved Maori life expectancy vindicate targeted Maori health services, according to the Public
Health Association.
Statistics New Zealand has just released data showing non-Maori now live about 8.5 years longer than Maori which is a
major improvement compared to the 9.1 year difference recorded in 1995-1997.
PHA Director Dr Gay Keating says the new data is important because it shows the first significant improvement in Maori
life expectancy over the last two decades.
Dr Keating says recent debate about race issues has seen calls to scrap Maori health providers on the basis that there
aren't any proven health benefits. Dr Keating says the latest figures suggest that targeted health services are
beginning to turn the tide.
"The data shows you do get results by putting the right policies and targeted services in place."
Dr Keating says these results are especially encouraging because Maori providers are a relatively recent innovation and
major improvements in life expectancy weren't expected in such a short time frame. However she says many Maori health
providers are seriously under-funded and a significant number of Maori continue to miss out on essential health care.
The improved life expectancy may also be linked to recently improved educational achievements, employment statistics and
an upturn in the economy; Dr Keating says.
ENDS