Category: Health

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Code of Practice for Dental Radiology: ORS C4

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Code of Practice for Dental Radiology: ORS C4 (C4 2024) is issued by the Director for Radiation Safety under section 86 of the Radiation Safety Act 2016 (the Act). C4 2024 specifies the technical requirements that a person who deals with the dental radiological equipment outlined in the scope of C4 2024 must comply with in order to comply with the fundamental requirements of the Act.

The requirements of C4 2024 do not limit the general application of the fundamental requirements of the Act.

This code came into force on 1 December 2024.

Scope

C4 2024 applies to radiation practices associated with radiological equipment used for intraoral, panoramic and cephalometric dental procedures. Practices associated with cone beam computed tomography equipment are dealt with in the Code of Practice for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology: ORS C1 .

Practices can include: manufacture, possess, control, manage, use, service and repair, transport, store, export, import, sell, supply and disposal of equipment.

Compliance with C4 2024 does not imply compliance in related areas such as health practitioners’ clinical competence, occupational safety, hazards in the workplace, resource management and transport of hazardous substances. 

Consultation and notification

In May 2023, the Ministry of Health reviewed the now revoked C4 2018 and concluded that revisions were required. In August 2024, a second round of consultation was conducted on the changes made to the public consultation version of C4 as a result of the submissions received.  

On 19 November 2024, the Director for Radiation Safety gave notice in the New Zealand Gazette that C4 2024 is issued to come into force on 1 December 2024.

Changes in C4 2024

Holder of a source licence

C4 2024 replaces the term ‘managing entity’ used in the revoked C4 2018 with terms referred to in the Act. In almost all cases, the new term used is ‘holder of a source licence’.  

Radiation Safety Officer

C4 2024 introduces a new requirement for the holder of a source licence to appoint a radiation safety officer (RSO). This change means that appointing an RSO is now a general requirement of radiation safety codes of practice. The training requirements for an RSO are set out in a new Appendix 2. 

The Director for Radiation Safety considers that, for the purposes of C4 2024 only, people who are, or deemed to be, registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand, and who hold an annual practicing certificate, can be considered to have met the training requirements for an RSO. This condition applies only for the activities specified for the registered practitioner in Schedule 3 of the Radiation Safety Regulations 2016. 

On this basis, a registered practitioner who meets these conditions can be appointed as an RSO by virtue of being deemed to meet the training requirements set out in Appendix 2 of C4 2024. The holder of the source licence can still appoint an RSO who is not a registered practitioner who meets these conditions, however,  such an RSO would need to meet the training requirements set out in Appendix 2 of C4 2024.  

Radiation risk assessment

C4 2024 introduces a new requirement for the holder of a source licence to carry out and maintain a radiation risk assessment. This change means that radiation risk assessments are now a general requirement of radiation safety codes of practice. Radiation risk assessments form the basis for establishing a management system to enhance radiation protection and safety. Establishing a management system to enhance radiation protection and safety was a requirement of the revoked C4 2018 that has been retained for C4 2024.  

Diagnostic reference levels in optimisation

C4 2024 introduces explicit requirements to use, generate or compare diagnostic reference levels (as the situation requires) for optimisation purposes when equipment is commissioned, serviced, or modified (including software updates). This change means that diagnostic reference levels will be used in optimisation activities under all diagnostic and interventional radiology codes of practice. The use of diagnostic reference levels are the primary means to ensure optimisation of radiation safety. Optimisation of radiation safety were requirements of the revoked C4 2018 which have been retained for C4 2024.   

Justification of occupational and public exposures

C4 2024 introduces an explicit requirement for the holder of a source licence, in conjunction with the dental practitioner, to consider occupational and public exposures, as well as patient exposures, when justifying each radiological exposure. This change means that the fundamental requirement set out in section 9(1) of the Radiation Safety Act 2016 is reflected in the justification requirements of C4 2024. 

Other changes

C4 2024 makes a significant number of technical clarifications and wording changes to improve readability and clarity of meaning. 

What the changes mean for dental practice

The Director for Radiation Safety has aimed to make the minimum amount of change for the people who must comply with C4 2024 while addressing the issues raised in the review of the now revoked C4 2018. In many instances, the new, explicit, requirements of C4 2024 formalise what has been implied by the related, but more general, requirements of the revoked C4 2018. 

Guidance notes

The changes made for C4 2024 mean that the Compliance Guide for Dental Radiology including Dental Cone Beam CT: ORS G4 (G4 2021)  and the Diagnostic X-ray Testing Frequency Guidelines (G1 2021) have been superseded. The Director for Radiation Safety intends to publish updated guidance to compliment C4 2024 in due course. Please contact [email protected] if you require a copy of a superseded compliance guide. 
 

Application of revoked C4 2018

On 1 December 2024, ORS C4 2018 was revoked. The provisions of the revoked C4 2018 no longer apply. However, the provisions of the revoked C4 2018 may apply to any matter that occurred while it was in force from 28 June 2018 to 31 October 2024. 

On 19 November 2024, the Director for Radiation Safety gave notice in the New Zealand Gazette that the Code of Practice for Dental Radiology: ORS C4 2018 is revoked on 1 December 2024. The revoked C4 2018 came into force on 28 June 2018 and has been replaced by the Code of Practice for Dental Radiology: ORS C4 2024 (C4 2024). A copy of the revoked C4 2018 is available below.  

Revoked code of Practice for Dental Radiology: ORS C4 2018 (PDF, 367 KB)
Revoked Code of Practice for Dental Radiology: ORS C4 2018 (DOCX, 133 KB)

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Clearing the Air: Assessing real-world ventilation practices in New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Most New Zealand’s buildings are ‘naturally’ ventilated, meaning they rely on the opening of windows (and/or doors) by occupants. Ventilation habits are often inefficient, probably because we have a relatively poor innate sense of when a room is under-ventilated. Most members of the public under-estimate how effective windows can be in improving ventilation and air quality.

With increased recognition following the COVID-19 pandemic of the role of ventilation in reducing the risk of spreading illness, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) were commissioned by the Ministry of Health to:

  • assess the state of ventilation (inferred from measurements of carbon dioxide) in a sample of mostly naturally ventilated buildings occupied by people more vulnerable to the acute health effects of COVID-19 infection
  • explore the potential for improving ventilation through changes in ventilation behaviour
  • explore the potential for using carbon dioxide monitoring data to promote pro-ventilation behaviour change.

This research helped to inform updated ventilation guidance on the Health Information and Services website. 

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Consultation on safety measures for the use of puberty blockers in young people with gender-related health needs

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Government has tasked the Ministry of Health with consulting on whether there should be additional safety measures for puberty blockers, such as regulations under the Medicines Act.

On 21 November 2024 the Ministry of Health published its evidence brief and position statement on puberty blockers.

The Evidence Review found a lack of good quality evidence for the effectiveness or safety of puberty blocking treatment in young people with gender dysphoria. We do not have good evidence to say that the medicines used improve the longer-term outcomes for young people with gender-related health needs – nor that the potential longer-term risks are low.  

Puberty blockers are medicines called gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists.

They are known as puberty blockers when used as part of gender-affirming care to delay the start of puberty for a young person.

The same medicines are used to treat precocious (very early) puberty in children. In adults, they are used to treat endometriosis, breast and prostate cancers, polycystic ovary syndrome and other conditions.

Puberty blockers are different to gender-affirming or cross-sex hormone therapy. 

In response to the Evidence Review, the Ministry of Health issued a Position Statement, to communicate expectations of prescribers and other practitioners involved in providing care for young people with gender incongruence and dysphoria.

The Position Statement sets out that treatment should be started only by prescribers who are experienced in gender-affirming care and working as part of an interprofessional team offering a range of supports and services.

Patients and families should be fully informed of the lack of evidence for long-term effects from these medicines.

The Ministry has issued the Position Statement to:

  • put additional safeguards in place to protect children and young people from any potential harm
  • set out clear expectations for health practitioners
  • provide a firm basis for regulatory oversight of prescribers by the Medical Council of New Zealand
  • uphold the rights of children and young people not to be subjected to medical or scientific experimentation without consent and not to be subject to discrimination.

Further safety measures being considered

The Ministry is considering whether further measures need to be put in place to ensure no children or young people are unduly exposed to unknown risks.  

The further measures being considered include updating clinical guidance, increased monitoring of prescriptions, and regulatory measures.  

For example, a regulation made under the Medicines Act could restrict prescribing of puberty blockers in the context of gender-affirming care, without affecting prescribing for other conditions. ​

Purpose of consultation

The Ministry wishes to take into account all information and views before any decisions on further safety measures are made.  

In particular, the Ministry seeks input from organisations that represent people who may be affected by safety measures or that may be involved in how safety measures are used in practice.  

What we are asking about

We have a series of questions that ask about:

  • whether additional safety measures are needed
  • whether prescribing should be further restricted  
  • which young people with gender-related health needs should be able to receive this treatment if prescribing is further restricted
  • what impacts there could be from additional safety measures.
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Impact of Puberty Blockers in Gender-Dysphoric Adolescents: An evidence brief

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

This literature review summarises the latest national and international evidence of the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers on adolescents. It is accompanied by the Ministry’s position statement which sets out next steps to ensure young people with gender incongruence and gender dysphoria have access to quality care.

In 2023, the Ministry of Health undertook an extensive review of the evidence of the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers for adolescents with gender dysphoria.

The evidence brief represents detailed assessment of the evidence. It found limitations in the quality of evidence for both the benefits and risks (or lack thereof) of the use of puberty blockers.

Health agencies are now working to develop an appropriate response for the New Zealand context. This includes strengthening the evidence base and developing updated guidelines for clinicians.

The Ministry has developed an accompanying position statement which sets out the next steps in more detail.

This is an evolving area of research, and the Ministry will continue to monitor the evidence as it develops.

Evidence brief

Supplementary material

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Position Statement on the Use of Puberty Blockers in Gender-Affirming Care

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Purpose

This position statement accompanies the release of an evidence brief which examines the safety and long-term impacts of puberty blockers when used in the context of gender-affirming care.

This statement summarises the brief’s findings and sets out the Ministry of Health’s expectations for their use.

In addition, it outlines our next steps that will ensure young people with gender incongruence and gender dysphoria have access to quality care. It also provides relevant information for health professionals, rainbow communities, and the general public.

Background

In September 2022, the Ministry of Health updated its position on the safety and reversibility of puberty blockers when used for gender-affirming care. This was in light of work underway in other jurisdictions examining the clinical effects of puberty blockers on adolescents. The evidence brief examines the risks and benefits of puberty blockers when used for gender-affirming care.

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Summary of Online Submissions Received on the End of Life Choice Act 2019

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

In 2024, the Ministry of Health completed the first review of the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

The End of Life Choice Act is the law that makes assisted dying legal in New Zealand. The Act came into force on 7 November 2021, following a public referendum held alongside the 2020 General Election. The Act is administered by the Ministry of Health.

Under the legislation, the Ministry of Health is required to review the operation of the Act within three years of it coming into force, and every five years after that.

The review of the Act was undertaken in 2 parts:

  • a review of the operation of the Act by the Ministry of Health
  • an online process to gather public opinion about changes that could be made to the Act.

This publication provides a summary of the feedback received through the online process. The online process was open for submissions from the public from 1 August to 26 September 2024. The Ministry received 2759 submissions from organisations and individuals as part of that process.

The Ministry’s review of the operation of the Act can be found at Review of the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

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Review of the End of Life Choice Act 2019

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

In 2024, the Ministry of Health completed the first review of the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

The End of Life Choice Act is the law that makes assisted dying legal in New Zealand. The Act came into force on 7 November 2021, following a public referendum held alongside the 2020 General Election. The Act is administered by the Ministry of Health.

Under the legislation, the Ministry of Health is required to review the operation of the Act within three years of it coming into force, and every five years after that.

The review of the Act was undertaken in 2 parts:

  • a review of the operation of the Act by the Ministry of Health
  • an online process to gather public opinion about changes that could be made to the Act.

This publication provides the findings of the Ministry’s review of the operation of the Act, which examined whether the Act as currently written is operating effectively and achieving its intended purposes. In reviewing the Act, the Ministry considered whether changes could:

  • increase clarity around the meaning and interpretation of rules or settings in the Act
  • improve the effectiveness of mechanisms in the Act, such as those intended to address issues of access and safety
  • support effective administration of assisted dying
  • provide clarity around the roles and responsibilities of those involved
  • improve alignment of the Act with other relevant pieces of legislation, and the wider health system (including the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022).

The final report notes where things are working well and makes recommendations on changes that could be made to the Act to improve its effectiveness. Government parties agreed that any changes to the Act will be proposed through members’ bills.

Alongside the review, the Ministry also provided an online process to give the public an opportunity to share their views on what changes could be made to the Act. A summary of the submissions provided through this process can be found at Summary of Online Submissions Received on the End of Life Choice Act 2019.

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Annual Update of Key Results 2023/24: New Zealand Health Survey

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Annual Data Explorer presents results from the 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey, with comparisons to earlier surveys where possible. Results are available by gender, age group, ethnic group, neighbourhood deprivation and disability status.

Annual Data Explorer 2023/24

This year, for the first time, results can also be viewed by the four New Zealand health regions:

  • Northern
  • Te Manawa Taki
  • Central
  • Te Waipounamu.

Published data can be downloaded from the Annual Data Explorer as a .csv file.

Data for the 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey were collected between July 2023 and July 2024, with a sample size of 9,719 adults and 3,062 children. Details about the survey methodology are outlined in the latest Methodology Report and survey content in the Content Guide.

The trends in daily smoking and vaping have been presented in Trends in smoking and vaping: New Zealand Health Survey.

If you have any queries please email [email protected].

Overview of key findings

Selected findings from the 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey are summarised below. See the Annual Data Explorer for results for all 180+ indicators.

Please note the following before reading the results:

  • In the New Zealand Health Survey, adults are people aged 15 years old and over.
  • Children in the total population are aged 0–14 years unless otherwise stated and disabled children are aged 5-14 years.
  • The parents or caregivers of children answered the survey questions on behalf of their child.
  • Where data is compared over time, comparisons are generally made with the previous year (2022/23) and/or five years ago (2018/19). Where data for an indicator is not collected every year, time periods may vary.

Most New Zealanders are in good health

  • In 2023/24, 85.4% of adults reported they were in ‘good health’, which is defined as good, very good or excellent health. This level of good health is similar to levels reported over the previous five years.
  • Disabled adults were less likely to report being in good health (60.0%) than non-disabled adults (87.8%).
  • Nearly all children were in good health in 2023/24. 96.5% of children were reported by their parents to be in ‘good health’ compared to 98.2% five years ago.
  • The percentage of parents or primary caregivers of disabled children who reported their child to be in ‘good health’ (88.3%) was lower than for non-disabled children (97.8%).
  • 82.0% of adults reported high or very high family wellbeing in 2023/24.
  • Most adults (83.0%) reported a high or very high level of life satisfaction.
  • Disabled adults were less likely to report high levels of life satisfaction (61.0%) than non-disabled adults (85.0%).

In the last five years, smoking has decreased and vaping has increased

  • About 300,000 adults (6.9%) were daily smokers in 2023/24, which is a similar rate to the previous year (6.8%) but a decrease from 12.9% in 2018/19.
  • Daily smoking rates have declined over the last five years in all ethnic groups, but inequities remain: Māori (from 30.4% to 14.7%), Pacific peoples (from 21.6% to 12.3%), European/Other (from 11.0% to 6.1%), and Asian (from 7.1% to 3.8%).
  • Trends in daily smoking among Pacific adults have fluctuated over the last few years, but the long-term trend shows daily smoking decreasing in this population.
  • Adults living in the most deprived neighbourhoods[1] were more likely to be daily smokers than adults living in the least deprived neighbourhoods (13.9% and 2.5%, respectively).
  • About 480,000 adults (11.1%) were daily vapers in 2023/24, up slightly from 9.7% the previous year and 3.3% in 2018/19.
  • The highest daily vaping rates were in Māori (28.8%), Pacific peoples (21.5%), and young people aged 18–24 years (26.5%).

  • Some new indicators on exclusive or combined daily smoking and daily vaping were published for the first time this year, including results for earlier years.

    • In 2023/24, 1.2% of adults were dual users (ie, both smoked and vaped daily). Rates of dual use have not changed over the last five years.
    • One in six adults (16.8%) smoked and/or vaped daily in 2023/24, up from 15.1% in 2018/19.

    See Trends in smoking and vaping: New Zealand Health Survey for more information.

[1] Neighbourhood deprivation refers to the New Zealand Index of Deprivation 2018 (NZDep2018), which measures the level of socioeconomic deprivation for each neighbourhood (Statistical Area 1) according to a combination of the following 2018 Census variables: household income, benefit receipt, household crowding, home ownership, employment status, qualifications, single parent families, living in home with dampness/mould and access to the internet.

Exposure to second-hand smoke has declined

  • 1.3% of children were exposed to second-hand smoke while travelling in a car or van in 2023/24, down from 4.0% when last measured in 2015/16. Child exposure to second-hand smoke inside the home decreased from 3.3% to 2.2% over the same period.
  • 4.6% of adults were exposed to second-hand smoke while travelling in a car or van in 2023/24, down from 9.5% in 2015/16. Adult exposure to second-hand smoke inside the home decreased from 6.5% to 4.6% over the same period.

One in six adults has a hazardous drinking pattern

  • The rate of hazardous drinking[1] was 16.6%, which is equivalent to about 720,000 adults. This is similar to last year (16.0%), but down from 20.4% in 2018/19.
  • The largest decrease in hazardous drinking over the last five years was among young people 18–24 years (from 35.8% to 22.6%).
  • One in 12 adults (8.2%) reported drinking six or more drinks on one occasion at least weekly. This is a decrease since 2018/19, when the rate was 12.3%.

[1] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption.

Use of some illicit drugs is increasing

  • Nearly one in 20 adults (4.8%) reported using ecstasy/MDMA in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey, up from 3.6% in 2018/19.
  • 2.4% of adults reported using cocaine in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey, up from 1.5% in 2018/19.
  • 3.1% of adults reported using hallucinogens in 2023/24, up from 2.0% in 2018/19.
  • Reported use of all illicit drugs asked about in the Health Survey was higher in disabled adults than in non-disabled adults in 2023/24.

Young adults are most likely to experience psychological distress

  • Most adults experienced no/low (67.8%) or moderate (19.1%) levels of psychological (mental) distress[1] in the four weeks prior to the 2023/24 survey. However, 13.0% of adults experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress.
  • High or very high levels of psychological distress were more common in young adults aged 15–24 years (22.9%), disabled adults (33.2%), and in Pacific (20.0%) and Māori (19.5%) adults.
  • High or very high levels of psychological distress have increased over the last five years (8.3% in 2018/19 to 13.0% in 2023/24), with the largest increase in those aged 25–34 years (from 8.8% to 18.0%).
  • Disabled adults were more likely to experience high or very high levels of psychological distress than non-disabled adults (33.2% and 11.2%, respectively).

[1] Psychological distress was measured by the 10-item questionnaire Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). It refers to a person’s experience of symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, fatigue, or depression in the past four weeks. The K10 is a screening tool, rather than a diagnostic tool, so it’s not recommended to use it to measure the prevalence of mental health conditions in the population.

One in nine children likely to have emotional symptoms and/or behavioural problems

  • The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)[1] examines emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and prosocial behaviour in children ages 2–14 years.
  • In 2023/24, one in nine children (11.0%) were likely to have emotional symptoms and/or behavioural problems, meaning that they have a risk of experiencing substantial difficulties in these four aspects of development: emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity and peer problems.
  • Disabled children were more likely to have emotional and/or behavioural problems than non-disabled children (47.8% and 4.9%, respectively).

[1] The SDQ is a screening tool, rather than a diagnostic tool.

Increase in unmet need for professional mental health support

  • 10.7% of adults had an unmet need for professional help for their emotions, stress, mental health or substance use in 2023/24, compared to 4.9% in 2016/17.
  • Unmet need for professional mental health support was highest among adults aged 25–34 years (16.2%).
  • 6.5% of children had an unmet need for professional help for their emotions, behaviour, stress, mental health or substance use in 2023/24, compared to 4.8% in 2016/17.
  • Disabled adults were more likely to report unmet need for professional mental health support than non-disabled adults (22.2% and 9.6%, respectively). Differences were even greater for disabled and non-disabled children (33.2% and 3.8%, respectively).

Most children have parents who cope well with parenting

  • In 2023/24, nearly four out of five children (78.5%) had a parent/caregiver who coped well or very well with demands of raising children.
  • Nearly all children (92.8%) had a parent/caregiver who reported having someone they can turn to for day-to-day emotional support with raising children.

One in four children live in households where food runs out

  • One in four children (27.0%) lived in households where food ran out often or sometimes[1] in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey. This is higher than the previous year (21.3% in 2022/23).
  • One in two Pacific (54.8%) and one in three Māori (34.3%) children were living in households where food ran out often or sometimes in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey. This compares to one in five European/Other (21.9%) and one in six Asian (17.1%) children.
  • In 2023/24, 26.1% of children lived in households where, in the past year, they often or sometimes ate less because of lack of money. This is higher than the previous year (20.3% in 2022/23). For Pacific children, this increased from 35.6% in 2022/23, to 53.0% in 2023/24.
  • Rates of each of these two food insecurity indicators[2] were higher in households where children were Māori, Pacific, disabled, or living in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

[1] This indicator was included in the annual Child Poverty Related Indicators Report produced by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

[2] The two household food insecurity indicators include questions about whether in the last 12 months the household sometimes or often, ran out of food, and ate less because of lack of money.

One in 11 adults meet vegetable intake guidelines

  • In 2023/24, nearly half of adults (47.1%) ate the recommended amount of fruit (2+ servings per day).
  • One in 11 adults (9.1%) ate the recommended amount of vegetables (5 to 6 servings, depending on age and gender).
  • Among children aged 2–14 years, 70.5% ate the recommended amount of fruit (1 to 2 servings, depending on age).
  • 8.2% of children aged 2–14 years ate the recommended amount of vegetables (2.5 to 5.5 servings, depending on age and gender).
  • Over half of children aged four months to less than five years at the time of the survey (55.7%) were exclusively breastfed until four months old.
  • The proportion of children eating breakfast everyday has declined over the last five years, from 84.5% in 2018/19 to 78.2% in 2023/24.

Fewer than half of adults meet physical activity guidelines

  • In 2023/24, 46.6% of adults met physical activity guidelines (ie, did at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity in the past week, spread out over the week). This is similar to last year (46.5%), but down from 50.9% in 2018/19.
  • One in 7 adults (13.6%) did little or no physical activity.
  • Adults living in the most deprived neighbourhoods were more likely to have done little or no physical activity than those living in the least deprived neighbourhoods (19.9% and 11.1% respectively).
  • Among children aged 5–14 years, 38.8% used active transport (e.g., walking and cycling) to get to and from school in 2023/24, down from 43.7% in 2018/19.

Nearly 1.5 million adults are classified as obese

  • In 2023/24, 62.9% of children and 31.2% of adults were of a healthy weight, which is similar to previous years.
  • One in three adults (33.8% or nearly 1.5 million) were classified as obese in 2023/24, up from 31.3% (1.25 million) in 2018/19.
  • One in eight children aged 2–14 years (12.5%) were classified as obese in 2023/24, compared to 11.4% five years ago.
  • Nearly half of adults (47.8%) living in the most deprived neighbourhoods were classified as obese, compared to 25.7% of adults living in the least deprived neighbourhoods.

Fewer children are meeting sleep duration guidelines

  • The proportion of children meeting sleep duration guidelines has declined over the last five years, from 78.3% in 2018/19 to 71.9% in 2023/24.
  • Children living in the most deprived neighbourhoods were less likely to meet sleep duration guidelines than those living in the least deprived neighbourhoods (59.0% and 78.9%, respectively).
  • Nearly seven out of 10 adults (69.3%) met the sleep duration guidelines in 2023/24, while 25.2% (or nearly 1.1 million) usually slept less than recommended, and 5.5% usually slept more than recommended.

Most people reported good, very good or excellent oral health

  • About three out of four adults (76.6%) reported their oral health to be good, very good, or excellent.
  • Most parents and caregivers (91.8%) reported their children’s oral health to be good, very good, or excellent.
  • 64.8% of children and 66.4% of adults brush their teeth with standard fluoride toothpaste at least twice each day.
  • For both adults and children, toothbrushing twice daily decreased as neighbourhood deprivation increased. In the most deprived neighbourhoods, 51.6% of adults and 54.1% of children brushed twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste, compared to 76.8% of adults and 71.0% of children living in the least deprived neighbourhoods.
  • Nearly half of adults (44.9%) reported unmet need for dental care due to cost. This barrier was more likely to be reported by adults who are Māori, Pacific, disabled, living in the most deprived neighbourhoods and those aged 25–54 years.

‘Time taken to get an appointment was too long’ was the most commonly reported barrier to visiting a GP

  • One in four adults (25.7%) and one in five children (18.5%) reported that ‘time taken to get an appointment was too long’ as a barrier to visiting the GP in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey. This is higher than the previous year (21.2% for adults and 14.8% for children).
  • Wait time as a barrier to seeing a GP was most likely to be reported by women aged 25–54 years, Pacific peoples, disabled people and those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
  • One in six adults (15.5%) reported not visiting a GP due to cost in the 12 months prior to the 2023/24 survey. Those aged 25–34 years were more likely to report cost as a barrier (25.4%) than those in other age groups.
  • Among disabled adults, 11.2% reported cost as a barrier to filling a prescription compared to 3.8% of non-disabled adults.
  • Disabled children were more likely to experience time taken to get an appointment as a barrier to seeing the GP (23.3%) than non-disabled children (17.3%).

Visits to the GP decreased and visits to the emergency department increased

  • For both adults and children, visits to the GP have decreased over the last five years. 75.6% of adults visited a GP in the past 12 months, down from 78.1% in 2018/19. For children, 66.6% visited the GP in the past 12 months, down from 72.8% in 2018/19.
  • One in five (21.3%) children visited the emergency department (ED) in 2023/24, up from 15.1% in 2018/19. Visits in 2023/24 were highest among children aged 0–4 years (30.6%) and disabled children (28.6%).
  • Visits to ED also increased for adults over the last five years. 17.8% of adults visited ED at least once in the previous 12 months in 2023/24, compared to 15.0% in 2018/19.

Those living in the least deprived neighbourhoods more likely to have health insurance

  • 35.2% of adults and 27.6% of children had private health insurance, similar to previous years.
  • People living in the least deprived neighbourhoods were more likely to have private health insurance than people living in the least deprived neighbourhoods (49.5% vs 16.5% for adults, 44.8% vs 8.1% for children).
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Methodology Report 2023/24: New Zealand Health Survey

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

This methodology report details the procedures and protocols followed to ensure the New Zealand Health Survey produces the high-quality and robust data expected of official statistics.

The New Zealand Health Survey is a face-to-face survey with a multi-stage sampling design that involves randomly selecting a sample of small geographic areas, households within the selected areas, and individuals within the selected households. One adult aged 15 years or older and one child aged 14 years or younger (if any in the household) were chosen at random from each selected household.

Survey respondents are selected from the ‘usually resident’ population.

Of those invited to participate in the survey in 2023/24, the weighted response rate was 73% for adults and 70% for children. 9,719 adults and 3,062 primary caregivers (representing their children) agreed to be interviewed. This included 1,039 disabled adults and 270 disabled children.

Included in the methodology report is information about:

  • the survey population and sample design
  • data collection
  • response and coverage rates
  • data processing
  • weighting
  • analysis methods
  • changes in previously published statistics.

Information specific to the data collection and analysis of the New Zealand Health Survey 2023/24 is included in Section 9 of this report.

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Questionnaires and Content Guide 2023/24: New Zealand Health Survey

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The content guide describes the content of the New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) for the year ended 30 June 2024. Data was collected between July 2023 and July 2024.

The content guide also outlines the history of the NZHS and its development into a continuous survey, describes the process for developing the adult and child questionnaires for 2023/24 and provides an overview of each section of the survey.

The module topics for adults and children in 2023/24 were:

  • racial discrimination for adults
  • self-perceived height and weight for adults
  • migraine for adults
  • tobacco, vaping and exposure to second-hand smoke for adults
  • exposure to second-hand smoke for children
  • child development for children.