Insights into Māori Health

Introduction to Māori Health

• Understanding the context and importance of Māori health in the New Zealand healthcare system.

• Exploration of systemic inequities and health outcomes affecting Māori populations.

Prior Learning in Māori Health

• Key assumptions to understand:

  • Demographic Differences: Disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations; implications for healthcare.

  • Ethnicity Classification: Understanding the classifications used in Aotearoa and their implications for health data.

  • Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Historical context and its implications on Māori health permissions and rights.

Learning Objectives

• Māori Health Indicators:

  • Describe health status using indicators (life expectancy, causes of death).

  • Understand health inequities between Māori and non-Māori.

  • Identify historical processes influencing Māori health.

  • Recognize the origins of socio-economic inequities in healthcare.

Health Inequities

• Systematic inequitable health outcomes:

  • Differences in health outcomes, exposure to health determinants, and healthcare responsiveness.

  • Under-representation in the health workforce.

Historical Context and Its Impact

• Lessons from the Titanic:

  • Examining how social class and gender led to differential survival rates during the Titanic disaster, reflecting similar patterns in Māori health outcomes.

  • Structural vs. Social Interventions:

  • Structural: Need for systemic changes (e.g., healthcare accessibility).

  • Social: Education and awareness to change societal attitudes towards Māori health.

Key Health Indicators for Māori

• Life Expectancy Trends:

  • Trends of Māori life expectancy compared to non-Māori from 1950-2019. Historically, Māori populations have had lower life expectancy rates than their non-Māori counterparts, reflecting ongoing health inequities. These trends underscore systemic issues within the healthcare system and wider socio-economic determinants affecting Māori health outcomes.

• Causes of Death: Major causes ranked by age-standardised mortality rates (2018-2020):

  • Māori: Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, suicide.

  • Non-Māori: Ischaemic heart disease, breast cancer, lung cancer.

Challenges in Healthcare Access

• Unmet Needs: Māori report higher rates of unmet health needs compared to non-Māori due to:

  • Lack of transportation and financial barriers.

  • Disparities in GP access.

Bowel Screening Policy

• Impact of early detection initiatives:

  • Increase in cancer screening rates among Māori.

  • Adjustments to screening ages reflect growing incidence of colorectal cancer in Māori populations.

Land Alienation and Its Health Implications

• Historical Land Ownership:

  • Continual decline of Māori land ownership from 1860 through to 2000 due to colonization and legislation.

  • Associated impacts on community health and social structures.

Structural Barriers to Health

• Systemic issues leading to health inequities:

  • Differential access to health determinants and healthcare systems.

  • Need to target interventions that address these structural barriers systematically.

Conclusion

• The interconnection of health outcomes, socio-economic status, and historical injustices necessitates a comprehensive approach to Māori health improvement strategies.

The key concept regarding the understanding of Māori health in the New Zealand healthcare system involves recognizing the systemic inequities that exist and the significant impact these inequities have on health outcomes for Māori populations. It is essential to grasp the historical context, including legislative and social factors, that have shaped Māori health experiences, as well

The key findings regarding the trends of Māori life expectancy compared to non-Māori from 1950-2019 indicate significant disparities. It is essential to recognize the implications of these findings for improving health strategies focused on Māori populations to address and reduce these gaps.