Child health inequities have big costs for Māori whānau and society

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-01-20 00:01

New Zealand

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Researchers looked at data from 2003-2014 and found that Māori children used primary healthcare, outpatient care, medicines, and laboratory investigations less than non-Māori, and had greater rates of avoidable hospitalisations and death. These inequalities cost more than $170 million each year, however, the bulk of these costs are borne by Māori families while the government health sector benefits from cost savings of around $4 million per year. The authors say that "doing nothing" to change these health inequities has a high economic cost to Māori families and society.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

This study calculated the costs or savings that arise from Māori children having different rates of avoidable death, hospitalisation and use of healthcare services than non-Māori children. It found that health inequities for Māori children actually save the Government health system money, yet are very expensive for society as a whole, especially Māori whānau. In addition to being a social justice and Indigenous rights concern, health inequities are costing New Zealand money.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: University of Auckland, University of Otago

Funder: n/a

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