Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Health Inequalities in New Zealand

This report examines health inequalities in New Zealand, focusing on the impact of socioeconomic position, ethnic identity, geographic location, and gender. It highlights disparities within the Maori population, including challenges related to healthcare access and affordability, as well as the influence of lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and lack of health awareness. The report references data on cancer registration and school dental services, illustrating how these factors contribute to poorer health outcomes, particularly for Maori women. It also discusses the role of the Treaty of Waitangi in addressing these inequalities and proposes interventions to improve healthcare access and outcomes for all segments of the population. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors to enhance health outcomes and reduce disparities.

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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Figure 1: School Dental Service Data
It has been observed that Maori women are at greater risks from breast cancer compared
to women from other ethnicities (Health(2002) Retrieved on 16th March 2018). Women within
the population rarely test for breast cancer and majority of cases goes undiagnosed, which leads
to impact on mortality rates from the diseases. Apart from screening of various diseases, there is
absence of awareness of the various health related factors. This creates a gap in health care
service delivery amongst Maori and other segment of the population. As per government
disclosed figures cancer registration in 2009 had 20,875 cases in which 46.6% were female.
Amongst all deaths cancer accounted for 28.9% amounting to 8437 people. After prostrate
cancer being the most common type of cancer was breast cancer amongst women. There were
increasing trend by 22.8% in 2009. Total of 1888 Maori women were registered with 415.2 per
100,000 people compared to 337.9. However, cancer registration rate fell by 1.3% in the period
1999 and 2009 but risen later again.
Poverty factor being associated with health reflect worse health conditions compared to
those who have better education, income or occupational levels. Structural factors have led to
generation of inequalities as Maori women experiences poor living and working conditions
compared to other segments of the population. Determinants of health if tackled can lead to
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developments within the population as lifestyle factors, social and community influences,
working and living conditions, culture, ethnicity and gender along with general socioeconomic
with environmental conditions. Health interventions varies across different geographic locations
in New Zealand, therefore they are at greater risks of health. Inequality in distribution of
materials and resources create differential access to healthcare facilities generating impact on
health care status and mortality rates.
Conclusion
Actions taken to reduce socioeconomic factors can greatly enhances chances of health care
within the population. The Treaty of Waitangi has been developed to increase health conditions
of the Pacific Islander people. This treaty is aimed at attending to various inequalities in the
population for developing better health care facilities.
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Reference Lists
Health, Ministry of. (2018, March 16). 'Reducing inequalities in health'. Retrieved from URL.
http://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/reducineqal.pdf.
McMurray, A. & Clendon, J., (2014). Community health and wellness; Primary health care in
practice, Chatswood, Australia: Elsevier.
publications, NZ Ministry of Health. (2018, March 16). 'Publications'.Retrieved from URL.
http://www.health.govt.nz/publications.
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