Health Disparities in New Zealand: A Literature Review

wellness Disparities in New Zealand A Literature ReviewNateeh R. CuevaIntroductionwellness is an integral part in the context of human existence. Each persons views regarding wellness and pr inciteices concerning healthcare vary depending on ones historical, governmental and economic spot, including the level of fosterage, gender and personal experiences.1 Hence, it is imperative to consider these aforementioned factors affecting health in the healthcare administration.The principal objective of this paper is to redirect examination the specific historical, cultural, social, educational and economic backgrounds of the Maori people and each corresponding effects to healthcare approach. This paper also aims to investigate the imparity of the Maori and non-Maori health status. As several(prenominal) studies conjure up health disparities, this paper examines the actions taken to achieve equilibrium in healthcare service delivery among Maori and non-Maori people.Maori History and the accordance of WaitangiNew Zealands first tocopherol Polynesian settlers discovered the country during the 13th century, approximately 500 years before Europeans became aware of its existence.2 The tribe is now known as Maori, meaning master, to characterize their distinction after the Europeans arrival. Due to lawlessness and the British governments goal to protect trading interests, the Treaty of Waitangi was created and signed by several Maori chiefs and British backsheesh representatives. 3The Treaty was translated into English and Maori versions containing three articles with substantial interpretation differences.4 As explained by St. George (2013), the first article in the English version refers to sovereignty. It indicates ravish of power to the British Crown. However, Maori version conveys share of power. Maori used the term kawanatanga, which means setting up of British government without implicating transfer of authority. The second article principally safeguards property of rights, concerning tino rangatiratanga or chieftainship. Maori people are granted control and rights over their lands, woodlands, waters, fisheries and new(prenominal) properties in the English version. In contrast, Maori version denotes more extensive rights for Maori, including proprietorship and reassurance of cultural and social items desire language and villages. The third article warrants the Maori people equal rights as the British subjects.Regardless of the differences, the two versions of the Treaty are current as they were both signed (St. George, 2013). Although protecting Maori health is part of the objectives of the Treaty, the population decline in the 1800s proved past nonperformance on its principles. Basing on the data presented by Wishart (2012), Maori population went as low as 43,927 in 1886 while non-Maori migration constantly increased. The land wars between Maori and Pakeha (non-Maori) as well as the diseases introduced by the increasing migra tion had also caused devastating effects to Maori population (Durie, as cited in Kingi, 2007).After a major Maori protest, the Waitangi Tribunal was established in 1975 to investigate Crown breaches to the Treaty of Waitangi.5 Its goal is to consider the principles of the Treaty upon making decisions rather than the mere conflicting interpretations of both English and Maori versions. This had led to compensation grants, return of lands and financial compensate to tribal authorities for economic development. Subsequently, the Maori population dramatically recovered to over half a million during the 20th century (St. George, 2013).St. George further elaborated that the Treaty has three key principles relating to Maori health partnership, participation and protection. Partnership basically means working with Maori communities in developing strategic health care practices for the community. Participation is the act of involving the Maori people upon planning and during healthcare run delivery. Protection is ensuring equality on Maori and non-Maori health status while considering Maori cultural concepts, values, and practices.Culture and Impact on wellnessCulturally-based beliefs, values and attitude relating to health influence engagement to health-promoting activities and access to health services. As non-Maori population continuously surged, healthcare services became highly Pakeha-dominated.6 This led Maori on becoming suspicious about health services rendered by hospitals because of cultural reasons.The Maori cultural health perspective is holistic. It comprises four cornerstones of health wairua (spiritual), hinengaro (psychological), tinana (physical) and whnau (extended family).7 Maoris concepts of tapu (sacred, restricted) and noa (free from tapu or unrestricted), the fundament of law and order during pre-European measure, interrelate with todays Maori health environment. In terms of daily activities, this entails that food (noa) should be placed separ ately from bodily functions like faeces (tapu). Practices and healthcare services that do not mirror these cultural concepts receive lesser stand up and often distress the Maori community.As Maori slowly acquire Pakeha-predominated health services, traditional Maori health practices largely remained (Lange, 2012). These health practices, though helpful in some cases, oftentimes risk patient safety and jeopardize medical examination treatment when opposed or delayed in consideration to cultural beliefs.Maori Socioeconomic Status and HealthSocioeconomic status, basing on aspects such as income, education and occupation, is a fundamental element of health. Studies prove that favourable living condition is closely pertinent to best health quality.8 Health disparity can be brought about by material poverty, poor nutrition, mediocre housing standards and stress resulting from low social and economic status. Health services fees further hinder medical treatment access.Statistics New Z ealand (as cited in Marie, Fergusson Boden, 2010) supports well documented studies proving that Maori are at great socioeconomic disadvantage than any New Zealanders by ethnicity. This socioeconomic departure likely predisposes Maori to poor health conditions and limit healthcare access.Health Disparity and InequalityRegardless of the efforts to apply the Principles of the Treaty to health development, health difference and disproportion among Maori and non-Maori is still evident. Studies prove that Maori are underprivileged in terms of health among any New Zealand ethnic groups, showing higher morbidity and mortality pass judgment.9 Blakely, Fawcett, Atkinson, Tobias and Cheung (as cited in St. George, 2013) verbalize that Maori infants have lower birth w eighter and die more frequently from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than non-Maori. Brown (as cited in St. George, 2013) also added that Maori die eight to ten years earlier, on average, with avoidable death rates twice as much compared to non-Maori. New Zealands cancer death rate is greater than Australia, consisting of two thirds male Maori and one quarter Maori female deaths (Skegg and McCredie, as cited in St. George, 2013). Obesity in Maori community is also of greater proportion, contributing to higher rates of diabetes (Ministry of Health, as cited in St. George, 2013).These data show that Maori are more susceptible to illnesses and their lesser access to health services is detrimental. According to Durie (as cited in St. George, 2013), the suboptimal Maori health status pose negative effects on the communitys outlook of the healthcare system as a whole. This may lead to stereotyping healthcare system basing on their less suitable health situations and experiences. Studies further claimed Maori being treated differently in the healthcare setting. As per findings of the 200102 National Primary Medical tutorship Survey (as cited in St. George, 2013), doctors spent only 2 minutes out of 12 mi nute consultation time or 17% less time on caring for Maori than non-Maori patients. Racism also affects Maori health status (Harris, as cited in St. George, 2013), suggesting that the greater the number of racial discrimination experiences, Maori self perceived health status becomes lesser.Maori Health Development and Addressing InequalitiesDuring the 20th century, eliminating inequalities became a considerable section of government health policy and statutory obligation of district health boards (Pollock, 2012). affable welfare policies and intersectoral activities promoting health equality such as retrofitting and housing insulation were implemented. The New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 absolves the Treaty of Waitangi and Maori health (Blakely Simmers, 2011). Health programmes and healthcare service delivery focus on Maori and low socioeconomic people. Constant monitoring on health inequalities and research conduction allowed better discernment of health dispa rities and progress tracking.The increasing awareness on health inequalities concerning Maori people paved way to more improved funding on health services addressing deprivation and ethnicity. As a result, immunization rates soared, smoking cessation rates increased and improved Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk management.10 The policies relevant to health equity strongly develop Maori health status and healthcare service access.ConclusionHealth is indeed affected by several find out factors that can enhance or diminish quality of life. Historical, political, cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds are crucial aspects to consider in delivering effective health services that support health equality.Looking into the health disparities affecting Maori people, it is unacceptable in the context of medical practice to provide partial health services basing on individuals ethnicity, cultural beliefs, values and economic status. While it is a fact that traditional practi ces can hinder medical treatment and healthcare goal achievement, better ways and policies should be implemented to meet the greater Maori health needs.The Maori culture, being the first settlers in New Zealand, has become an indispensable component of the countrys society. For Maori to live longer, achieve healthier lives and contribute to the society at their utmost potential, the root causes of inequalities ought to be rightfully addressed. In the same manner, may the past mistakes and neglect be a grounding lesson to further strengthen the efforts to eliminate health disparities. May impartial health services prevail and be maintained for Maori, non-Maori and other ethnicity of different backgrounds alike.ReferencesBlakely, T., Simmers, D. (2011). Fact and action sheets on health inequalities. New Zealand Medical Association. Retrieved from http//www.nzma.org.nz/sites/all/files/Marmot_factsheets.pdfCapital and Coast District Health Board. (2009). Tikanga Mori A fall for health care workers.Retrieved from http//www.ccdhb.org.nz/news/Tikanga Maori.pdfDerby, M. (2012). Waitangi tribunal te rp whakamana. Te, genus Ara the encyclopedia of NewZealand, 1-6. Retrieved from http//www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/waitangi-tribunal-te-ropu-whakamana/page-1Kingi, T. R. (2007). The agreement of Waitangi A framework for Mori health development. NewZealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 54(1), 4-10. 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