The Determinants of Health for Children and Young People in the Waikato (2009)

Abstract

The early years of life provide a crucial foundation for future health and wellbeing. The Determinants of Child and Youth Health in this DHB is the second report in a three part series on the health of children and young people in the region. It aims to provide an overview of the determinants shaping children and young people‟s lives during their crucial early years, and to assist the DHB consider some of the other agencies influencing the wellbeing of children and young people in the region. This report provides an overview of the key determinants of child and youth health in the DHB, and aims to assist the DHB consider some of the other agencies influencing child and youth wellbeing in the region. Such an intersectoral focus is necessary, as while addressing the large burden of avoidable morbidity and mortality highlighted in last year‟s report might at first seem a formidable task, collaborations with e.g. hous ing to improve the quality of housing stock may provide more tangible starting points. On a wider scale, while addressing broader issues such as child poverty may be beyond of the scope of the health sector alone, some of the coordinated intersectoral policy responses highlighted in this year‟s report, if implemented in New Zealand, would likely result in significant health gains for children and young people.