Category: Ministry of Health

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) included a module on mental health and problematic substance use (including tobacco, alcohol and illicit substance use) in 2016/17, 2021/22 and 2022/23.  

This report presents information and key results from the mental health and problematic substance use module. It does so in two main sections: first, results for adults aged 15 years and over; and second, results for children aged 2–14 years.

Because of smaller achieved sample sizes in 2021/22 and 2022/23, data from these years have been pooled (combined) to produce more precise estimates. The combined data is referred to as 2021–23 data and has a slightly smaller sample size compared to 2016/17: 10,256 adults and 2,628 children in 2021–2023, compared with 12,929 adults and 3,733 children in 2016/17.

The module used screening tools to collect self-reported data about the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms and risk of problematic substance use in adults, as well as emotional and behavioural problems in children. The module also included questions about the use of mental health and addiction services and other types of support as well as unmet need for professional help with emotions, stress, mental health or substance use.

This report is accompanied by a data explorer, which is an interactive online tool, that includes a wider range of indicators, and presents disaggregated data by gender, age, ethnicity, disability status and neighbourhood deprivation. 

Access the Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer.

As mental health is a sensitive topic, and individuals may not be comfortable disclosing information about their use of illicit substances, respondents were able to self-complete the module on a tablet provided using computer-assisted-self-interviewing. The module for children was completed by the child’s primary parent or caregiver. 

The 2021–23 data from the NZHS mental health and problematic substance use module shows mental health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings can then be used to inform a more nuanced approach to preventing and managing poor mental health and problematic substance use.

Key findings

• The prevalence of adults experiencing mild or greater anxiety and/or depression symptoms in the two weeks before the survey has increased from 25.0% in 2016/17 to 34.8% in 2021–23. Moderate or greater symptoms of anxiety and/or depression increased at a greater rate than mild symptoms over the period. 
• The prevalence of moderate or high risk of problematic substance use decreased between 2016/17 and 2021–23 (from 32.6% to 27.0%). The prevalence of moderate or high risk of problematic use of both tobacco and alcohol decreased over the same period (from 20.7% to 14.6% for tobacco and 15.8% to 13.0% for alcohol). However, the prevalence of moderate or high risk of problematic use of illicit substances increased over the same period (from 10.1% to 11.2%). 
• Increases in the prevalences of mild or greater anxiety and/or depression symptoms and moderate or high risk of problematic illicit substance use were greater for young adults aged 15-24 years. 
• Overall, women were more likely to experience depression and/or anxiety symptoms than men. Conversely, men were more likely to experience moderate or high risk of problematic substance use than women. 
• Some population groups, such as Māori and disabled adults, were more likely to experience anxiety and/or depression symptoms and to be at risk of problematic substance use than those not in the population group. 
• In 2021–23, 41.1% of adults used some type of service, such as primary health care, or support for concerns about their emotions, stress, mental health or substance use in the 12 months before the survey. This is an increase from 35.3% in 2016/17.  
• Unmet need for mental health and addiction services also increased over the same period. In 2021–23, 8.4% of adults felt that, in the 12 months before the survey, they needed professional help for their emotions, stress, mental health or substance use, but did not receive that help, up from 4.9% in 2016/17.
• The prevalence of children aged 2–14 years likely to have emotional symptoms increased from 9.2% in 2016/17 to 13.0% in 2021–23.
• Use of services and support for children remained relatively unchanged between 2016/17 and 2021–23. However, children’s unmet need for mental health and addiction services did increase over this period (from 4.8% to 6.8%).

For an overview of the methodology used in collecting, and preparing results from, the mental health and problematic substance use module, see the methodology page of the Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer at: Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer.

If you have any queries about this New Zealand Health Survey report on mental health and problematic substance use, please email: [email protected].

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) included a module on mental health and problematic substance use (including tobacco, alcohol and illicit substance use) in 2016/17, 2021/22 and 2022/23.  

The Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer presents data from that module and covers topics such as mental health, risk of problematic substance use, informal help-seeking and access to mental health and addictions services for adults and children.  

It presents the latest results by gender, age, ethnic group, disability status, and neighbourhood deprivation, as well as changes over time. 

Published data can be downloaded from the Mental Health and Problematic Substance Use Data Explorer as a.csv file. 

Because of smaller achieved sample sizes in 2021/22 and 2022/23 due to COVID-19, data from these years have been pooled (combined) to produce more precise estimates. The combined data is referred to as 2021–23 data and has a slightly smaller sample size compared to 2016/17: 10,256 adults and 2,628 children in 2021–2023, compared with 12,929 adults and 3,733 children in 2016/17.

More information

Further details on the findings from the mental health and problematic substance use module are included in the Mental health and problematic substance use: New Zealand Health Survey 2016/17 and 2021-23 report. The findings can then be used to inform a more nuanced approach to preventing and managing poor mental health and problematic substance use.  

For an overview of the methodology used in collecting, and preparing results from, the mental health and problematic substance use module, see the methodology page of the Mental health and problematic substance use data explorer. 

If you have any queries about this New Zealand Health Survey data on mental health and problematic substance use, please email [email protected]. 

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora has developed a snapshot report to monitor the progress the health system is making on delivery against the Interim Government Policy Statement on Health 2022–2024 (iGPS). The iGPS set the Government’s priorities and expectations for the health system for 2022–2024 as well as the framework for the interim New Zealand Health Plan | Te Pae Tata 2022 (interim NZ Health Plan).

The snapshot report contains national results for iGPS measures from the first year (2022/23) of the two-year interim period.

In addition to the results in the snapshot report, supplementary data for the measures by district, ethnicity and other breakdowns can be found on the Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora GitHub page.

We have published an addendum to the iGPS. The addendum is an update of Appendix 3, which contains detailed definitions of the measures used for reporting on the iGPS. 

In response to the iGPS, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora | Māori Health Authority developed the interim NZ Health Plan. The interim NZ Health Plan includes actions to deliver better outcomes in the priority iGPS areas. Reporting on progress and delivery of actions in the interim NZ Health Plan is on the Health New Zealand website in their official publications (eg, quarterly reports, annual report).

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Summary

Manatū Hauora – the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) commissioned Malatest International to conduct an independent evaluation of the implementation of Ngā paerewa Health and disability services standard NZS 8134:2021 (Ngā Paerewa). The implementation period ran from June 2021, when Ngā Paerewa was publicly available, to August 2023.

The evaluation focused on the Ministry’s role in the implementation of Ngā Paerewa. The intention of the evaluation was to determine:

• the effectiveness of the Ministry’s implementation of Ngā Paerewa
• to what extent the Ministry met its objectives in considering the preparedness of key stakeholders
• to what extent the Ministry had established sufficient operational processes to enable the successful execution of the above.

The reviewers assessed online survey responses completed by 65 providers, interviewed 71 stakeholders, and reviewed documents.

The evaluation found that the sector was generally positive about the implementation efforts of the HealthCERT team (the team responsible for implementation within the Ministry) and reported approvingly on the team’s accessibility and responsiveness. The Designated Auditing Agencies (DAAs) reported that regular meetings facilitated coordination and support, fostering positive relationships. Fulfilling Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations emerged as a key aspect of implementation. While many stakeholders were committed to meeting these obligations, some required additional support to strengthen their cultural confidence, which HealthCERT did in developing two online Te Tiriti o Waitangi eLearning modules.

The evaluation identified some areas for improvement, including enhanced communication, training, and support mechanisms. The evaluation highlighted the need for continued support and resources to sustain the implementation of Ngā Paerewa. Recommendations included investing in dedicated project management for future projects, enhancing peer support initiatives, and exploring additional resources to support providers.

The HealthCERT team is working through the recommendations to identify ongoing improvement opportunities.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

In June 2023, the Public Health Agency, within the Ministry of Health, commissioned research and evaluation agency Verian to undertake a series of research projects and population surveys into attitudes and behaviours related to public health measures following the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on New Zealanders’ attitudes and behaviours towards public health measures and use this knowledge to better prepare the Ministry, and other decision makers, for future pandemics and other major health threats.  

This work is split into two parts, each with two reports. The first part is two repeated behavioural surveys to monitor adherence to public health measures over time, covering both intention and actual behaviour. The second part is a qualitative analysis to explore drivers of COVID-19 related public health behaviours, and to quantify the impact of barriers and other factors on adherence to public health measures. This involves qualitative interviews followed by a survey.

This report, Life since the pandemic: How the COVID-19 pandemic experience has shaped public attitudes and beliefs on public health, infectious disease and vaccination is based on findings from the qualitative interviews and is the first of the four reports to be published. It focuses on the drivers behind people’s public health actions and attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have changed over time.

The report is informed by 30 in-depth interviews between September and December 2023. People interviewed include Māori, Pacific people, Asian, Pākehā, disabled people and older people. Interviewees came from different parts of New Zealand, urban and rural, and a range of occupations and living situations.  

Overall, the report suggests the people now have greater awareness of infectious diseases and ways they can spread such as coughing and high contact surfaces. It suggests less tolerance for other people spreading disease and a greater sense of responsibility to avoid spreading disease themselves.

The report will help enhance the Ministry’s understanding of people’s attitudes to public health measures and provides ideas on how to communicate important public health information and support people taking protective and preventative measures.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) is an independent Advisory Committee established under section 93 of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. The PHAC was created as part of New Zealand’s health system reforms in 2022. 

The Public Health Advisory Committee’s functions are to: 

• provide public-facing and evidence-based public health advice to Ministers, the Public Health Agency and Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand)
• focus on innovative and practical solutions to address the persistent inequities in health outcomes in Aotearoa.

Rebalancing our food system report

In January 2023 the Minister of Health commissioned the PHAC to prepare advice on the food ‘system’: all of the structures and processes between the production of food and eating or drinking it.

For public health, food is pivotal for building health, preventing disease, and supporting recovery. However, the health and wellbeing of people is not being prioritised within the current food system and many New Zealanders do not have access to nutritious food in sufficient quantity.

This independent report, prepared by the PHAC and published by the Ministry of Health, takes a public health focus, looking at changes to the food system that could help improve the health and wellbeing of people of New Zealand. 

To help inform its work, the PHAC engaged with a range of key stakeholders in both the food and health systems, including non-government groups, industry, government agencies and academics.

The report provides five broad recommendations divided into 13 specific recommendations.

Stakeholder reflections on the food environment: A report for the Public Health Advisory Committee

The PHAC engaged Synergia to lead a series of stakeholder engagements to inform their report on Rebalancing our food system, including key informant interviews and stakeholder workshops. The findings from the stakeholder engagements are published here.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Privacy

We may publish submissions on the Ministry’s website, unless you have asked us not to. If you are submitting as an individual, we will automatically remove your personal details and any identifiable information. You can chose to have your personal details withheld if your submission is requested under the Official Information Act.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Summary

This document provides the report and inventory for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health (the Ministry) for the financial year 2022/23 (1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023).

The inventory has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of:

• the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP)
• the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)
• International Standards ISO 14064-1:2018.

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Hīkana Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) provided guidance in its development.
Inventory reports and any GHG assertions are expected to be verified by a third-party verifier. This assurance statement is attached.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

This report shows information on funding to Māori health providers by the Ministry of Health, Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka whai Ora for the period 2018/19 to 2022/23. This report follows on from our reports in 2017, 2021 and 2022 on the same topic and is part of our monitoring of Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020-2053.

Highlights include:

• funding to Māori health providers was $523.5 million in 2022/23, an increase of $213.6 million (or 68.9%) since 2018/19 (see Table 1)
• although funding to Māori health providers is increasing, it remains a small part of Vote Health, at 2.48 % in 2022/23
• the Ministry has begun measuring Other types of funding not included in the figures above (see Table 2). These are: Māori primary health organisations, Māori general practices, and payments for the delivery of COVID-19 services. These payments increased by $196.1 million between 2018/19 and 2022/23, or 210.4%. This is higher than the increase in Vote Health during the same time (26.1%)
• Measuring Other types of funding is subject to large fluctuations particularly funding to Māori PHOs. The fluctuations are due to new PHOs being created, closures and amalgamation of PHOs; and general practices moving between PHOs. Because of this, Table 1 may be a more consistent way to measure changes in funding to Māori health providers.

Total funding to Māori health providers (tables 1 and 2 combined) increased from $403.1 million in 2018/19 to $812.8 million in 2022/23, an increase of $409.7 million or 101.6 percent.

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring there is strong and visible leadership of suicide prevention in any new organisational structure and has provided that assurance to the Minister of Mental Health.

The Minister has stated his expectation that the Suicide Prevention Office remains open. As a result, we are developing options to work through with the Minister early next week.

We acknowledge we did not sufficiently brief the Minister of Mental Health on our change proposals. The Ministry is sorry for the confusion that this has caused.

Mental health, addiction and suicide prevention are health system priorities. Following the health sector reforms, the roles and functions across the Ministry of Health were changed and programmes and services were transferred to other health agencies. The Ministry of Health is the chief advisor to the new Minister for Mental Health and leads a whole of government approach to mental wellbeing.

About the Suicide Prevention Office (SPO)

The Suicide Prevention Office (SPO) was established, as one of the recommendations of He Ara Oranga, in 2019 to provide leadership and stewardship for suicide prevention efforts.

A key focus of the Office was the ongoing implementation of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024 for Aotearoa New Zealand: He Tapu te Oranga and Budget 2019 suicide prevention and postvention initiatives of $40m over four years.

This was a small team within the Mental Health and Addiction directorate of the Ministry of Health. It has never been a stand alone office.

Following the health reforms on 1 July 2022; budget, planning and commissioning functions for suicide prevention and postvention initiatives moved to Health New Zealand, which later transferred the programmes and services of the work to Te Aka Whai Ora.

The Suicide Prevention Office remained within the Ministry of Health, but with a focus on strategy, policy, regulation and monitoring the outcomes achieved by the system as a whole. The team responsible for these residual functions remained within the Ministry of Health’s Clinical Community and Mental Health directorate.

The proposals that Ministry of Health staff are being consulted on include bringing together suicide prevention expertise with the expertise of our lived experience, system insights and clinical teams. The purpose of combining these skillsets is to elevate the importance of suicide prevention within the broader mental health work programme.