Green Prescription Patient Survey 2015 Report

Published online: 
30 June 2015

This report presents the findings from the 2015 Green Prescription (GRx) initiative patient survey, conducted for the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) in April and May 2015. 

The GRx patient survey allows the Ministry to monitor the performance of the GRx initiative each year. The ongoing success of the programme is measured against nine key performance indicators (KPIs), developed by the Ministry. This measurement is also used to provide feedback to the 17 contract holders around the country.

Key findings

Here are some of the findings from the almost 3000 respondents to the 2015 survey:

  • As in previous years, ‘weight problems’ was the most usual reason patients were issued with a GRx (56%)
  • High blood pressure and risk of stroke was second at 26% followed by high cholesterol
  • 6–8 months after receiving their Green Prescription, 58% of patients are still more active than they were before getting their GRx
  • 72% have noticed positive changes in their health
  • 47% generally feel better
  • 51% feel stronger and fitter
  • 43% have lost weight
  • 64% encouraged others to be active
  • 65% are active by themselves
  • 33% are active with a family member
  • 26% are active with friends
  • 21% are active in a GRx community group or programme
  • 67% have made changes to their diet (22% of these stating they have decreased portion sizes).

And what about the support provided for their lifestyle change?

  • 88% of respondents are satisfied with the overall support received from regional sports trusts and primary health organisations. The main drivers of satisfaction continue to be the encouraging and supportive behaviour of GRx support personnel during follow-up contact and improved health, motivation, confidence and happiness.
  • Once again walking is the most popular activity (70%), followed by swimming (51%), gym (38%), water or pool activities (42%) and GRx community groups or programmes (17%).
  • As for previous years, over two thirds of the survey respondents were aged over 50 years and two thirds were female. European New Zealanders made up 53% of the respondents, Māori 32 % and Pacific peoples 19%.
  • 45% of respondents have a long-term disability or impairment that limits their physical activity.

Publishing information

  • Date of publication:
    30 June 2015
  • Citation:
    Research New Zealand. 2015. Green Prescription Patient Survey 2015 Report. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
  • Ordering information:
    Only soft copy available to download
  • Copyright status:

    Third-party content. Please check the document or email the Web Manager to find out how to obtain permission to re-use content.

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