Our district’s high level of deprivation is the biggest factor in the health of the district.  As there is a direct link between socio-economic status and health, the impact on the district’s overall health is significant. We are a district of high overall deprivation with 34.8% of our population living in deciles 9 and 10.  This percentage increases to 53.3% for Māori in our region.

The district has higher rates of death and hospital admissions compared to the rest of New Zealand.  Māori in the district have higher rates of death (1.6 times) and hospital admission rates (1.3 times) than non-Māori.

The growing number of older people will place an increasing burden on health services as health problems associated with older people will also increase.

The major health issues that have been identified in the district are:

• Cardiovascular (heart) disease
• Lung disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Oral health
• Health of Māori in the district

Many of these health problems are considered to be avoidable due to factors such as lifestyle, prevention and early detection and treatment of conditions by a general practitioner.  Whanganui has a high rate of hospital admissions from these conditions and the rates are rising despite increased investment in primary care services.

Relative to New Zealand Whanganui has higher rates of:

• Smoking especially in Māori where 49% smoke
• Smoking in our youth especially females where 29% of 14 year olds smoke regularly
• Heart disease with high mortality and hospitalisation rates especially in non-Māori
• Respiratory infections in Māori children, 1.6 times that of non-Māori and 1.5 times the national rate for Māori children
• Hospitalisations of children from injury, 1.3 times the national rate
• Mortality from diabetes in Māori is six times the rate for non-Māori and 1.4 times the national rate for Māori
• Colorectal (bowel) cancer in non-Māori
• Hospital admissions for dental conditions