The latest annual Health Survey has raised concerns about the growing number of children facing hunger, increasing mental distress, and the rising wait times for GP appointments in New Zealand. Health Minister Dr. Shane Reti commented on the survey results, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders. The survey, which covered a total of 9,719 adults and 3,062 children during the 2023/24 period, revealed some troubling statistics.
One in four children, or 27% of the total surveyed, lived in households where food frequently ran out, a significant increase from 21.3% in the previous year. This statistic highlights the increasing pressure on families struggling to meet basic food needs. The findings also showed that mental health concerns are continuing to grow across the country. In 2023/24, 10.7% of adults reported an unmet need for professional help related to emotional distress, stress, mental health, or substance use. This figure is more than double the 4.9% rate recorded in 2016/17, signaling a serious trend in rising mental health issues that are not being addressed.
When it comes to nutrition, the survey found that only one in 11 adults, or 9.1%, and 8.2% of children aged 2-14 years, ate the recommended amount of vegetables, pointing to ongoing concerns about poor dietary habits. Physical activity levels also showed a decline, with fewer than half of the adults meeting the physical activity guidelines of at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week, a drop from 50.9% five years ago to 46.6% in the most recent survey. The survey also revealed a concerning rise in obesity, with one in three adults now classified as obese, a rate that is even higher in the most deprived neighborhoods.
Another troubling finding from the survey was the high percentage of adults, nearly half (44.9%), who reported unmet dental care needs due to cost. This issue was particularly severe among Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled individuals, those living in lower-income neighborhoods, and people aged between 25 and 54 years. These groups are disproportionately affected by the inability to access essential healthcare services like dental care, which highlights growing health inequities in the country.
The survey also revealed that access to general practitioners (GPs) remains a significant barrier for many New Zealanders. One in four adults and one in five children reported that the wait time for GP appointments was too long, preventing them from seeking medical care. This is a sharp rise compared to previous years, with figures growing from 21.2% of adults and 14.8% of children in 2022 to 25.7% of adults and 18.5% of children in 2023. These numbers reflect a trend of increasing difficulty in accessing timely primary care, a situation worsened by a shortage of doctors and primary care specialists in the healthcare system.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Reti expressed some optimism, acknowledging that the rate of growth in wait times had slowed after a period of significant mismanagement under the previous government. He assured the public that the government is fully committed to addressing these issues by strengthening the healthcare workforce, particularly through training more doctors and primary care specialists. Dr. Reti emphasized that improving access to primary care is essential to prevent unnecessary visits to emergency departments and alleviate the pressure on the hospital system.
The government has also made efforts to ease the financial burden on New Zealanders, aiming to reduce inflation and improve the economy so that people can more easily afford essential services like GP visits and food. Dr. Reti pointed to positive developments, such as the fact that 85.4% of New Zealanders report being in good health, which he credited in part to the efforts of Health New Zealand in supporting the country’s health outcomes.
Despite these positive indicators, Dr. Reti recognized the need to continue working with various agencies and ministries to tackle the challenges outlined in the survey. He acknowledged that mental health support, timely healthcare access, and better nutrition are key areas that require urgent attention.
The 2023/24 Health Survey provides a stark reminder of the ongoing health challenges facing New Zealand, particularly in terms of hunger, mental health, and healthcare access. With rising obesity rates, inadequate access to essential care, and increasing financial barriers to healthcare, the findings point to a growing health crisis that requires immediate action. The government’s commitment to addressing these issues and improving the health system remains critical, and as Dr. Reti stated, the country must continue striving for better health outcomes to ensure all New Zealanders can live healthier, happier lives.
