Media Releases

Further call for the elimination of child poverty

October 2004

A report into how economic factors affect health calls for child poverty in New Zealand to be reduced by at least 30 percent by 2007.

In the report to the Minister of Health, the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) recommends that Government adopts a goal of ensuring all New Zealanders the same chance of good health and long life without distinction for ethnicity, social or economic position. It builds on the National Health Committee's 1998 work on the social, cultural and economic determinants of health.

The committee's report, 'The Health of People and Communities: A Way Forward - Public policy and the economic determinants of health', explores how public policies can affect health through factors such as education, employment, occupation, income, housing and where people live.

The report says that as the strongest influences on health come from factors outside the control of health services, government departments and local government should assess significant policies for the impact they are likely to have on the health of people.

PHAC Chair, Geoff Fougere said: "The life expectancy and overall health status of people in New Zealand has improved dramatically during the past century, but not all groups have benefited equally. Gaps have been widening recently between Mäori and non-Mäori in both life expectancy and health status, and there are large differences in health between those in advantaged material circumstances and those in deprived conditions. Tackling the disparities in health represents one of the most challenging public health issues we face," he said. "We must break the cycles of disadvantage that increase risks to health. Choosing policies that lessen social inequality is also to choose policies that lessen health inequality."

It is estimated that one in three children live in poverty in New Zealand and children from poor families have higher rates of illness, injuries and death than others. "Why should a child's chances of life and health be so much less if they are born into a low income household?" said Geoff Fougere. One of the key recommendations from the PHAC report is to reduce child poverty by at least 30 percent by 2007, with continuing improvements until child poverty is eliminated in New Zealand.

The PHAC report says there are sound economic and social reasons for seeking to improve health and well-being. Recent research has estimated that if the health status of all New Zealanders was at the level of those with the best health in the country, then approximately 4,800 deaths could be avoided.

Improved health would also reduce the number of people absent from work, potentially bringing higher productivity leading to overall economic gains.

The PHAC is a sub-committee of the National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability (the National Health Committee, NHC). It provides independent advice to the Minister of Health on public health issues, including the factors underlying the health of people and communities.

For further information, contact:
Geoff Fougere
Chair, PHAC (spokesperson)
Tel: 03 364 2979 (work)
03 355 2149 (home)

Barbara Langford/Mark Booth
NHC/PHAC Secretariat
Tel: 04 496 2071

Trish Green
NHC Communications
Tel: 021 687 201