Keeping young people healthy
Youth Affairs Minister John Tamihere and Health Minister Annette King believe New Zealanders need to place more value on
young people to help improve their overall health status.
Mr Tamihere is in Manukau today to launch a new plan aimed at improving the health of young people aged 12 to 24.
“Our young people are a tremendous asset - not just for our future - but right now. Statistics show, however, that we
are not taking enough care of them,” Mr Tamihere said.
“We have to do better for all our rangatahi, especially for young Maori, who continue to suffer a greater degree of ill
health, and have a higher death rate than non-Maori youth.”
Ms King said the new youth health action plan includes practical ways to improve the health and well-being of all young
New Zealanders.
“This plan proposes a shift in the way the health sector has traditionally seen young people: from being `at risk' and a
`problem to be solved', to being valued participants in the community's effort to create a healthier environment,” she
said.
“It also creates exciting opportunities for young people to actively participate in health policy and service
development so they can be involved in decisions that affect them.”
The action plan, drawn up with an expert group of people working in youth health, emphasises the need for the health
sector to reach out more actively and be more responsive to young people.
It looks at the various environments in which young people live and interact -- whanau (family), education, community,
primary health care, hospital and specialist health services and District Health Boards (DHBs) -- and includes almost 40
recommended action points.
Mr Tamihere said that by international standards, young New Zealanders have unacceptably high rates of suicide, teen
pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse and accidental deaths.
“Devising effective ways of keeping young people mentally healthy is a priority, and while the recent decline in youth
suicide rates is encouraging, we still have a long way to go. Some of the practical suggestions in this youth health
action plan will get us a step closer.”
He said innovative, community-initiated school based health centres for young people are already running in some areas,
such as Rotorua.
“These wellness centres in the city's Western Heights High School, Rotorua Lakes High School, Rotorua Girls' High
School, Rotorua Boys' High School and the rural Reporoa College are effective examples of community-driven collaboration
between health and education agencies,” he said.
“They are doing the sorts of things that are advocated in the youth health action plan and I am excited by the very real
possibilities offered by this sort of collaboration. International evidence shows school-based health services are an
effective way to provide health care to youngsters and help set early intervention habits.”
Mr Tamihere noted that some recommended action points are outside the health sector.
“All New Zealanders share the responsibility of making sure young people feel valued, safe and healthy,” he said.
“Ensuring that all schools have anti-bullying programmes in place, raising kids' awareness of issues facing new migrants
and gay and lesbian students, and encouraging local bodies to create youth-friendly spaces and recreational
opportunities are also areas promoted in the plan.”
In the next few months the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Youth Affairs will begin taking the key action plan
messages around the country. The Ministry of Health also intends to work with the Ministry of Education on finding ways
to extend school-based health services.
For more information see the Youth Health: A Guide to Action and Youth Health Status Report at www.moh.govt.nz
The Ministry of Youth Affair's Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa is available at: www.youthaffairs.govt.nz