NZMA calls for action on child poverty
[Please note: embargoed until 5am 24 November 2017]
The New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) joins today’s calls by the children’s advocacy community for an
evidence-based plan to reduce child poverty in New Zealand.
“Reducing child poverty was a key election issue for many,” says NZMA Chair Dr Kate Baddock. “And it’s been a concern
for the NZMA for a long time.
“In the past few years, we have seen a valuable report on Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand from the Children’s Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Group, and a landmark report from the Parliamentary Health Select Committee on improving child health outcomes. Each of these reports has made a long list of evidence-based recommendations,
including the need to measure, set targets and report on progress.”
The Select Committee’s report in 2013 recommended:
• establishing an overall action plan for reducing child poverty
• constructing policy objectives to give every child the best possible start in life
• establishing an integrated approach to service delivery to children
• progressing policies to address disadvantage for all children, covering poverty, discrimination, healthy
housing, optimal nutrition, access to health and education services, and safe home environments.
•
“There is no need to start from scratch. Building on the foundations provided by this report and its predecessor means
action can—and must—be taken; sooner rather than later,” says Dr Baddock.
/ends