Category: Māori Health

Upfront: Traditional healing and mental health: measuring the effectiveness of rongoa from ‘best practice’ June 2010 Professor Sir Mason Durie writes about traditional healing (rongoa) with respect to mental health.
Suicide prevention in Māori youth from ‘best practice’ June 2010 The rate of suicide in young Māori males is higher than in any other population group in New Zealand. Mental health disorder is strongly associated with suicide but is not the only risk factor. Assessing wellbeing at every opportunity, providing culturally appropriate care and identifying risk early are key factors in suicide prevention.
Recognising and managing mental health problems in Māori from ‘best practice’ June 2010 Mental health problems are common in Māori, yet there is an unmet need for receiving treatment. Identifying mental health problems and providing early intervention for Māori is a key priority. The unique perspective of Māori culture should be acknowledged in order to provide the most effective level of care. Recognising that Māori might perceive and deal with mental health problems in different ways is an important first step.
PHO Performance Programme - high needs populations from ‘best practice’ June 2010 The PHO Performance Programme recognises the increased health needs of Māori, Pacific peoples and those living in lower socioeconomic areas. The Programme focuses on indicators which are measured to identify target levels of care. These indicators include services such as cervical and breast screening, immunisations, cardiovascular risk assessment and diabetes detection and follow-up. While there have been positive gains achieved over the past few years, there is still further progress to be made to reduce disparities and achieve targets.
Substance misuse and addiction in Māori from ‘best practice’ June 2010 It is estimated that substance misuse and other addictions are experienced by over one quarter of Māori in their lifetime. Every opportunity should be taken to discuss substance misuse and addiction, which is also often associated with other mental health problems. It is important that issues are understood and treatment is delivered in a culturally appropriate manner. Here we focus on the principles of care for Māori with substance misuse or addiction problems, and the specific issues of alcohol and cannabis misuse and problem gambling.
Breast screening - achieving equity from ‘best practice’ November 2009 Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in New Zealand women. The national target for breast screening is for 70% of all eligible women to have been screened within a two year screening interval. To date, this target has not been met for any ethnic group, and there are significant differences in screening rates between Māori and Pacific women, and other women. The key role of general practice is to ensure that all eligible women, especially Māori and Pacific women, are encouraged to enrol in the breast screening programme.
Cervical smears - achieving equity from ‘best practice’ September 2009 After the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Programme, rates of cervical screening increased and the overall incidence of cervical cancer has decreased dramatically. However many women are still not being screened. Consider barriers in your practice which may be preventing women from accessing cervical smears. Target Maori, Pacific and Asian women, women from areas of high deprivation and women aged over 30 years who have never had a cervical smear.
About this journal from ‘best practice’ July 2009 Kupu Whakataki Welcome to BPJ 22, our second journal focused on Māori Health
Are whānau paying the right amount for pharmaceuticals and health services? from ‘best practice’ July 2009 He tika te utu rongoā, te utu ratonga hauora rānei? Cost can be a major factor in determining whether whanau receive timely and appropriate services and support. It is important to ensure that all whānau receive all of the support and entitlements they are eligible for. Information about subsidies and funding programmes is highlighted.