Abstract
This report from the New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service (NZCYES) presents information to the Ministry of Health and child health service providers to contribute to policy and planning that can achieve optimal outcomes for children in Aotearoa. The data presented for each indicator were extracted from the national collections and other administrative datasets in 2020. These were the most recently available data when the report was written. The data generally precede the COVID-19 pandemic and so do not reflect the impact of the pandemic response in Aotearoa on children and young people. Evidence for good practice sections are compiled from the scholarly literature as well as from guidelines, policies, and reports in the public domain. Equity issues are included in evidence for good practice where this information is available. The first sections of this report present data and evidence for good practice relevant to achieving the best start to life in Aotearoa. Sections 2–5 present data from the National Maternity Collection (MAT) concerning birthing parents in Aotearoa. This information is relevant to the prenatal wellbeing indicators included in the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. While acknowledging that not all birthing parents identify as women, this report has used the terminology of pregnant women and mothers to be consistent with the data sources and Ministry of Health publications. Sections 6–8 present information about birth outcomes, including birthweight and gestational age. The Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 requires the Government to report annually on indicators of child poverty. Data for these mandatory indicators are presented in Section 9. Housing quality and affordability are indicators included in the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy; data for these indicators are presented in Section 10. Child health data in Sections 11–12 relate to the ‘Happy and healthy’ and ‘Loved, safe and nurtured’ outcomes in the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. Ministry of Education data about school attendance and attainment are presented in Section 13, with a summary of scholarly literature about improving educational attainment. Sections 14–15 present contextual data about social and economic circumstances that impact of children and families. The report appendices describe the processes used in compiling information for these reports, including the methods used to develop evidence for good practice, and the statistical methods used in the data analyses. The appendices give further information about the data sources used for the indicators in the report, explanation about classification of ethnicity and social and material deprivation, and a list of the clinical codes relevant to each indicator. In summary, the 2020 report on foundations for health in Aotearoa presents data and interpretation for selected child and youth wellbeing indicators extracted from national health datasets. The data used were the most recent available at the time of writing and provide a snapshot of achievements and challenges in these areas. Regular reporting from administrative datasets is provided to inform policy and planning and monitor progress toward achieving equitable outcomes for all children and young people.