Better Sooner More Convenient Primary Care - New Zealand Doctor

established. This group now oversees health promotion projects/activities developed by each
organisation.
Up until recently each of the three organisations continued to develop their own public health
and health promotion plans, and there was the potential for a large amount of cross over and
duplication of effort and resourcing. The imperative to reduce this duplication was augmented
by the limited health promotion funding and qualified public health workforce on the West
Coast. By carrying out joint planning and avoiding potential cross over means that any funding
and workforce we do have is maximized to it best potential.
Keeping people healthy and reducing the burden of chronic disease through public health and
health promotion initiatives is integral to the primary care business case. The emphasis of
keeping people healthy is on preventing West Coasters from becoming unwell and improving the
health of those with existing chronic conditions. The three key priorities, tobacco
control/smokefree, increasing immunisation and physical activity and nutrition coverage have
been selected due to the impact that these interventions areas have on preventing or minimizing
chronic disease and infirmity.
Tobacco Control/Smokefree
Smoking is one of the leading causes or mortality and morbidity for the West Coast population,
with 25.7% of all West Coasters reporting they are regular smokers compared to 20.7% of the
national population 27 . Māori smoking rates are considerably higher on the West Coast (by
comparison with non Māori), particularly for Māori girls at Year 10 28 . Of concern is the high
rate of smoking amongst 20-24 year olds, with 40.9% of West Coast youth compared with
29.8% nationally smoking on a regular basis. Lifestyle changes such as not smoking will have a
positive impact on the health status of West Coasters and lead to a reduction in chronic illness,
notably respiratory, cardiac and vascular conditions, cancer rates and diabetes.
Increasing Immunisation Coverage
Increasing immunisation coverage at 24 months of age continues as a focus for improving child
health on the West Coast. In 2008/09 80% of children were immunised at 24 months of age,
below the national target of 85%. More recently the Immunisation Advisory Group has
extended its brief to focus on seasonal influenza and HPV vaccinations. In 2008/09 55% of
the total West Coast population and 60% of the high needs West Coast population were
vaccinated for seasonal influenza.
Physical Activity & Nutrition
Sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition and overweight and obesity are a major and increasing cause
of preventable disease, disability and death in New Zealand 29 . The New Zealand Health Survey
2002/03 indicates that West Coasters have particularly high levels of excess adiposity, with
27 Statistics New Zealand. (2006). Census of Population and Dwellings. Wellington: Statistics New Zealand.
28 Beg A. West Coast Tai Poutini Maori Health Profile, August 2008.
29 Ministry of Health. (2000). The New Zealand Health Strategy. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Business case appendices V12 AC 25Feb2010 Page 27