(PDF) Inequalities in health

Social, economic, cultural and
historical factors contribute to
inequalities in health in New
Zealand
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Introduction
New Zealand faces health risk factors related to Socioeconomic position, Ethnic identity,
Geographic, place of residence and Gender (McMurray 2014). Reducing inequalities in health
is determined by analysing factors associated with them as geography based, such that they are
inaccessible or ethnicity based which makes it difficult to reach out to them. The scope of this
current analysis identifies risk factor from demographic data that can help reflect on inequalities.
Analysis
There is a great disparity in health amongst various segments of the population.
Inequalities are primary based on social and demographic inequalities of Maori population.
Either they are inhabitants of locality where health services have not yet reached or they find
healthcare services to be unaffordable in nature (publications Retrieved on 16th March
2018). Due to socioeconomic factors, a large segment of the population remains uneducated and
are reluctant to take medical treatment. Since childhood they are at greater risks of various
diseases compared to other ethnicities in New Zealand, who are based across major cities or
developed suburbs. Demographic data further reveals prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles and lack
of awareness in regards to health related factors amongst them, which causes higher incidence of
various diseases. Diseases amongst Maori starts with birth related complexities and then
progresses to adult age, when they go undiagnosed. Unhealthy diet amongst Maori population,
high levels of smoking, absence of knowledge regarding health are pertinent factors affecting
comorbidities amongst Maori population.
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