This RNZ article describes some statistics taken from the latest NZ Health survey (covering year July 2023-June 2024, involving 9719 adults/3062 children) showing the situation in relation to health is worse for Pasifika. Actual survey results for more detailed analysis here. This is sobering reading, and shows there is a very long way to go to get to the point where prevention of conditions such as diabetes becomes a feasible possibility and priority for some struggling families.
The following text is directly from the RNZ article:
22.3 per cent of Pasifika adults - an estimated 65,000 people - had a medical problem but did not visit a GP because of cost, in the past 12 months
65 per cent of Pasifika (estimated 189,000 adults) classified as obese
12.7 per cent of Pasifika adults (estimated 37,000 people) had an unmet need for mental health or addiction services in the past 12 months
20 per cent of Pacific adults (estimated 58,000 people) experienced high or very high psychological distress in the past four weeks [scoring 12 or more on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale]
81.9 per cent of Pasifika (estimated 238,000 people) said their health in general was good, very good or excellent
Nearly half of adults (44.9 percent) reported unmet need for dental care due to cost. Rates were worse for Māori, Pacific, disabled, people living in the most deprived neighbourhoods and those aged 25-54 years
Fewer than half of adults (46.6 percent) met physical activity guidelines [at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity in the past week - down from 50.9 percent five years ago]
One in 11 adults (9.1 percent) and 8.2 percent of children aged 2-14 years ate the recommended amount of vegetables"
