Māori and Pacific whānau have less healthy outcomes when it comes to pregnancy in New Zealand, a new clinical study has found.
Photo: 2021 Getty Images
Patients and healthcare providers were surveyed about the current knowledge of pregnancy and new-born care, by a team of researchers led by the University of Auckland's Liggins Institute.
The study found Aotearoa does not currently have equitable outcomes for mothers and babies.
"Depending on where you live, what ethnic group you identify with, what socio-economic group you belong to, you don't have the same chance of a good pregnancy outcome", said researcher Associate Professor Katie Groom.
Surveys and interviews were offered to thousands of people, of which 367 responded, representing a broad spectrum of patients, clinicians, professional bodies and administrators, as well as a good geographic spread.
An expert representative group analysed the surveys and used a framework to prioritise the research topics, with the resulting paper published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
"At the moment we have a cookie-cutter model of pregnancy care, where everyone gets a similar approach. But for Māori, care that includes their whānau and iwi may well deliver better pregnancy outcomes", Groom said.
Budget 2022 is expected to result in 1900 new workers, and to support 2700 more students into training programmes through a $76 million investment to continue to grow the health workforce for Māori and Pacific communities.
Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare said: "This funding is an important step towards building a more diverse and sustainable pathway into health for Māori and Pacific people, and it also ensures that as our health workforce grows it reflects the communities it serves".