Thursday 27 May 2004
Press release
Budget a first step to eradicate health problems of poverty
Budget welcomed but PHA calls for sustained action on child poverty
Increased support for families is a significant first step towards stemming the rise of third-world type diseases of
poverty, according to the Public Health Association.
The PHA says the Working for Families package will allow many families to fund the basics that are needed for health,
including housing, quality food, warm clothing and access to healthcare. The PHA has also welcomed the announcement
about 1054 new state homes and upgrades to 856 state homes.
Director Dr Gay Keating says there is increasing concern among public health workers about the rise of third world type
diseases in this country. She says most of these conditions are preventable and clearly linked to people living in
poverty.
"Reports such as a recent Ministry of Health document showing 22 percent of New Zealand children live in households that
can't afford to eat properly appears to have been a wake-up call to the government."
However Dr Keating points out it is unclear how the budget will help benefit dependent families and says agencies that
work with families will be looking closely at the detail of the budget.
Dr Keating says the budget is a good start but a concerted government effort is needed across all sectors to end child
poverty. She points out the British government made a commitment to end child poverty and has reduced child poverty by
about a quarter in five years.
The PHA is also calling for all new government policies to be assessed for their effect on the health of the most
vulnerable, such as children. It says this is in line with the Public Health Advisory Committee's new Guide to Health
Impact Assessment.
ENDS