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 Pacific Cultural Resource Unit
  
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 (Projects/Strategy)

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Health Services We Fund

Pacific Health

TALOFA LAVA! KIA ORANA! MALO E LELEI! FALA’ALOFA LAHI ATU!
WARM PACIFIC GREETINGS TO YOU!

Welcome to the Pacific Health Division

The Pacific Health Division exists to ensure that CMDHB is responsive to the health needs of Pacific populations.  We do this by:

• Planning and funding some services that may target Pacific populations or the health needs of Pacific people.  See Pacific Planning and Funding
   
• Providing an inpatient cultural support service for Pacific people admitted to hospital and/or in need of support to access outpatient clinics.  See Pacific Cultural Resource Unit
   
• Engage and relate to Pacific communities to ensure participation to the DHB’s activities. 
  See Pacific Health Advisory Committee (PHAC);
   
• Support cultural competency development of the organisation through the provision of training and cultural support resources.  See Pacific Cultural Competency.

Why is Pacific Health important to CMDHB?

Pacific Population Health Status Overview

There are approximately 90 000 Pacific people in CMDHB out of a total population coverage of 420 000.  Pacific people make up 20% of the total District population.   More than 30% of New Zealand’s Pacific population live in CMDHB.  The CMDHB Health Needs Analysis (2005) highlights the following features in relation to the health status of Pacific people:

• Youthful but growing: The Pacific population – projected population by 2006 is 90 410 – is youthful compared to other groups with 60% being under the age of 30.  The Pacific population is also expected to grow 81% by the year 2026
   
• Relatively deprived: Pacific populations showed an increasing proportion of population with increasing deprivation.  78% of Pacific people were classified in the least affluent areas of CMDHB compared with 58% of Maori, 22% of Asians and 17% of Europeans/Other;
   
• Risky lifestyles: Pacific people in CMDHB were more likely to be obese and drink alcohol in a hazardous manner.  Pacific people smoked more and had a relatively poor diet.  Pacific people were also less likely to be physically active.  Male Pacific, in particular, seem to lead a less than desirable lifestyle;
   
• Higher hospitalisation rate: Pacific people were more likely to be admitted to hospital for avoidable conditions. This is particularly so for Pacific children;
   
• Moderate mortality and life expectancy: Pacific people have a life expectancy at birth 5-8 years less than European/Other groups.  Mortality for diabetes, stroke, respiratory disease and other causes are high;
   
• Self assessed as having good health: Pacific people had a higher rate of considering themselves to be good or better than other ethnic groups; and
   
• Users of Pacific specific services: Pacific people in CMDHB were more likely to state that they have attended a Pacific specific service in the previous 12 months than those from the rest of Auckland or nationally.

For more information on the health of Pacific people, please refer to the following links:
- CMDHB Population Health Needs Analysis www.cmdhb.org.nz
- Ministry of Health Tupu Ola Moui Pacific Health Chart Book www.moh.govt.nz

What causes health inequalities among Pacific populations?

Pacific people have a poorer health status than many other groups.  Some might suggest that Pacific people need to eat less, exercise more and prioritise their personal health over other commitments.  However, addressing inequalities in health, education, employment and housing for all disadvantaged groups requires public policy and delivery to address the many contributing factors, including (Ministry of Health 2004):

• low incomes earned by many Pacific peoples;
• poor housing conditions including over crowding in many Pacific households;
• high rates of unemployment among Pacific peoples;
• lifestyle and cultural factors such as beliefs, values and preferences that influence how Pacific peoples view health care; and
• under utilisation of primary and preventative health care services by Pacific peoples and lower rates of selected secondary care interventions.

Health alone will not change many of these factors.  Although we aim to improve health through providing better and more accessible services, the key factors that drive poor health are influenced by other sectors - education, housing, social welfare are examples.

However, Tupu Ola Moui and the CMDHB District Strategic Plan aims to work intersectorally to ensure that health and other partner sectors are taking advantage of collective resources to support Pacific populations.

Pacific Planning & Funding

Published:  06-Jul-2011  |  Website enquiries:  Web Content Manager