Erina Korohina (Ngāti Porou), who was awarded the same fellowship in 2018, says nutrition knowledge is a key part of improving heart health. (file image) Photo: 123rf
New funding will go towards heart research for Māori and analysing the effectiveness of kaupapa Māori programmes.
The Heart Foundation have announced that this year's Māori cardiovascular research fellow is Anita Rangitutia (Ngāti Haua, Tainui).
She is seeking to understand how whānau Māori, who are at a high risk of heart disease, modify their behaviour when participating in a kaupapa Māori clinical exercise programme.
The foundation said there was currently an absence of Māori in traditional cardiac rehabilitation programmes, and it was unknown how well Pākeha models met Māori health needs.
Rangitutia's research will look into how a clinical exercise programme underpinned by Whānau Ora values can improve heart health equity for Māori.
Erina Korohina (Ngāti Porou), who was awarded the same fellowship in 2018, has been researching kaupapa Māori approaches that support whānau to develop healthy eating habits.
"There is an equity gap in heart disease and mortality for Māori compared to non-Māori, and nutrition knowledge is a key part of improving heart health," Korohina said.
"Our research found that it works best when each of the whānau were allowed to design what best suited their needs and that one size does not fit all."
The research showed when whānau were given the right tools and support to complement their knowledge and skills, they were able to see healthier results.
Heart Foundation medical director Dr Gerry Devlin said improving heart health outcomes for Māori was a priority.
"More needs to be done to support community initiatives across Aotearoa New Zealand, which are designed by Māori for Māori."