Abstract
The health of New Zealanders is improving overall. However, while the impact of infectious diseases has reduced over the last century, the last 50 years have seen a striking increase in non- communicable diseases (NCDs) – chronic conditions that develop as a result of factors such as our environment, genes, lifestyle and social connections.
Unfortunately, improvements in health have not been shared equally by all groups in our population. Rates of NCDs are strongly associated with rates of deprivation. Significant and unacceptable health inequities persist for Māori and Pacific peoples, people living in rural and isolated areas, and people who experience socio-economic disadvantage.
Cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity are four of the major NCDs. Together these four diseases account for well over a third of total death and disability in New Zealand and cost the nation hundreds of million dollars each year. The personal loss of lives cut short is incalculable.