Further Step to Quality Data

Media Release

29 April 2004

A Further Step to Better Quality Data

Improving the quality of ethnicity data collected requires a standardised process that is used by all agencies that collect, record and use health information.

The Health and Disability Sector Ethnicity Data Protocols will assist people working in the health and disability sector to develop appropriate tools and training for people collecting ethnicity data.

Standardised approaches for all means we can all better rely on the accuracy and consistency of collected health data enabling better decision making over time on providing appropriate health services.

The New Zealand Health Strategy highlights the need for better access to relevant information to improve decision making at both the health and disability sector level and at community level, enabling a greater role in decision making by communities.

A good example of where good quality ethnicity data is useful is in attempts to reduce smoking rates. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand killing around 4,500 people a year. The information we have now shows that a quarter of all adults smoke, but nearly half of all Māori adults and nearly a third of adult pacific people smoke. Better data about the age, gender and ethnicity of smokers helps ensure that interventions or strategies to reduce smoking rates are both targeted and effective at changing attitudes and behaviours in the right population groups. Good ethnicity data should also allow better monitoring of the effectiveness of these programmes over time.

These protocols are designed to assist in meeting the New Zealand Health Strategy requirements through better collection, analysis and communication of information - all of which in turn help to promote evidence-based decision-making.

The development of the ethnicity data protocols is a significant step towards understanding the health care needs of all ethnicities through accurate information.

The protocols have been endorsed by the Health Information Standards Organisation - an organisation set up to develop and promote information technology standards in the health sector.

Copies of these protocols are available on the Ministry's website.