New data published today provides insights into the health challenges faced by Māori and highlights opportunities to improve health outcomes.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington has released estimates for Māori for the Global Burden of Disease Study. This data covers the period 1990 to 2021.
‘This data helps the Ministry identify and strengthen opportunities across the health system to deliver better health outcomes for Māori,’ says John Whaanga, Deputy Director-General, Māori Health.
The data highlights the higher health needs of Māori compared to other population groups, he says.
‘While life expectancy for Māori has increased, and there have been improvements over time in key health statistics, the data finds Māori have roughly twice the rate of early death compared to non-Māori.
‘This has significant impacts on people, whānau, and communities.’
‘The data shows some positive upward trends over time. And since 2021, a range of new initiatives have been progressed to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, like cancer and diabetes, helping Māori have longer lives in good health.
‘However, we know further work is needed, and the data provides us with valuable information to support our role as the lead adviser to the Government on health.’
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study is a regularly updated and internationally comparable study of health metrics. This is the first Global Burden of Disease study to publish the estimates for Māori and the first for an indigenous population globally.
Find out more: Global Burden of Disease Māori estimates.
