health

New Zealand's transformation into a lean and competitive economy could be at the cost of the health of Kiwis when they should be in the prime of their life.

The University of Canterbury's Geohealth Laboratory contributed to a landmark international study, published this week in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), that found the gap between rich and poor was one of the most powerful indicators of the health of young adults.

The study is based on mortality and income figures for New Zealand and 125 other countries, covering nearly 95 per cent of the world's population. The link between income inequality and poor health was found to be true in both rich and poor nations. The study authors concluded that social inequality seems to have a "universal negative impact" on health, particularly in the ages from 15 to 39.

"Humans are social animals and are not well constructed physiologically to survive in uncooperative surroundings – particularly in the prime of life," it said. "Income inequality is associated with higher mortality rates in all nations worldwide, not just affluent ones. Although the direct mechanisms that operate are likely to be different between different countries, there does not seem to be a beneficial impact on health anywhere."

Rodney Routledge, chairman of the Community Employment Initiatives Group in Christchurch, said the study's findings matched his own anecdotal observations from dealing with the city's poor and disadvantaged in the wake of the radical restructuring of New Zealand's economy in the 1980s. He found the gap between rich and poor was widening, and that had a clear impact on health and well-being. "One of the observations is that social isolation has become a major problem right across the board," he said. "Families need two incomes to get by, and people don't socialise with neighbours like they used to. Time with their family is cut back. "But for all this Government's faults, they've done a lot to increase access to primary healthcare for low-income people. They've tried to make it a preventative community focus."

He said access to healthcare despite income had significant benefits to the wellbeing of the poor and disadvantaged. Low unemployment levels hid the reality of the hidden unemployed, who do not feature on Government statistics.

Paramedic cut is a fight this region can’t really afford to lose
by Iain Gillies
Friday, 11 May, 2007

It is disturbing to learn that our emergency services could be compromised by the loss of a permanent advanced paramedic in Gisborne, while ambulance stations at Ruatoria and Te Puia will be managed from Tauranga.

And this at a time when St John Ambulance here has been two paramedics down since the end of last year.

Sometimes it is necessary for governments to come to the rescue and spend money they were saving for something else.

It all boils down to priorities. And in the build-up to Budget week everyone and every organisation, every arm of government services can come up with a "priority".

But health must always be right up there at the top of the list. And the Government is already pouring multi-millions of dollars into health services every year.

Even so, providing isolated areas such as the Gisborne-East Coast with the paramedic services we feel are necessary won’t start a new bout of inflation or empty the Government’s coffers.

New Zealanders, through the state, spend big on health. They rightly feel entitled to at least a satisfactory standard of health service in return.

But, whatever the causes, many no longer feel confident that services will be available to them when they need them.

They worry whether they are receiving a fair return for their outlay. They suspect unreasonable waste. And it hurts when they see an organisation as valuable as St John having to ration its resources.

National Distribution Union branch organiser Neil Chapman says there is "serious concern" about the staff shortage and further planned restructuring.

"We have argued for many years to get advanced paramedic positions in this area and we don’t want to see a dilution of that in any way. Gisborne has gone from having three advanced paramedics to two, and that is our concern."

Our view? The only area of health services that needs cutting is the bureaucracy. And there will be a lot of appreciation if steps are taken to ensure emergency services are kept at full strength.