Reducing Inequalities-government

Reducing Health Inequalities for all New Zealanders
What is the government doing about inequalities?

Find out how the government is working to reduce inequalities in health status for the people of New Zealand.

Reducing inequalities in health is a key Government priority
Reducing inequalities in health is a key government priority and links to the whole of government priority to reduce inequalities in education, employment and housing.

The work of the Ministry of Health involves increasing understanding in the health sector of the concepts of health inequalities; and action it can take to reduce these inequalities through policy, funding decisions and service provision. The concepts and context for this work for the health sector are detailed in the Ministry publication ‘Reducing Inequalities in Health’ (September 2002)

The Ministry’s formal requirement is set out in its Statement of Intent, which is tabled in Parliament. The Ministry reports its performance against the Statement of Intent in its Annual Report, which is tabled in Parliament. There is a Cabinet requirement to include a specific section within the Annual Report that details the Ministry’s progress in reducing inequalities over the previous year. The Treasury, Te Puni Kokiri the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and the Audit Office audit this performance.

District Health Boards (DHBs) have a statutory responsibility for reducing health inequalities [New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000] through their main accountability documents, the Crown Funding Agreements. DHBs have a powerful mandate to direct health resources as needed at the local level. DHBs and the Ministry negotiate and monitor service agreements with providers to ensure service provision reduces inequalities in health.

What is the government doing about these health inequalities?
The New Zealand Health Strategy provides a framework for the health sector to improve the health of all New Zealanders and reduce inequalities amongst New Zealanders through a broad, co-ordinated approach. The whole health sector is acting to reduce inequalities by considering access to health care and pathways through care, and taking a population health approach to service funding, planning and delivery.

New Zealand Disability Strategy has the vision of a society that highly values the lives and continually enhances full participation of disabled people. It provides an enduring framework to ensure that government departments and agencies consider disabled people before making decisions

He Korowai Oranga – Māori Health Strategy is the Government’s strategy for Māori Health. The overarching vision is Whānau ora (described as Māori families supported to achieve their maximum health and well-being) and the strategy is explicit that this vision involves the weaving together of Māori led action and action around reducing inequalities. He Korowai Oranga plots this activity out along 4 pathways and is underpinned by high quality data and analysis. He Korowai Oranga is implemented by Whakatātaka Tuarua, the Māori Health Action Plan.

Whakatataka Tuarua Maori Health Action Plan 2006-2011

The Primary Health Care Strategy is a key lever for the health sector to reduce inequalities by providing a strong and accessible primary health care system.

The Pacific Health Action Plan sets out the strategic direction and actions for improving health outcomes for Pacific peoples and reducing inequalities between Pacific and non-Pacific peoples.

Cancer Control Strategy

Cancer Control Action Plan 2005-2010

Good Oral Health, for All, for Life: The Strategic Vision for Oral Health in New Zealand

Health targets

Page last updated: 28 August 2007