Health Equity

How we approach health equity, focusing on fairness, tailored support, and inclusiveness.

Health Equity

How we approach health equity, focusing on fairness, tailored support, and inclusiveness.

Health Equity

We aligned our definition of ‘equity’ with that set out by the Ministry of Health (MOH). Their definition states that:

“people have differences in health that are not only avoidable but unfair and unjust.
Equity recognises different people with different levels of advantage require different approaches and resources to get equitable health outcomes.”

In its simplest form, health equity is about fairness. We serve a diverse community with different levels of advantage that require different supports, resources, and approaches. We celebrate and value diversity and inclusiveness throughout our network, which is essential for innovation, bold thinking, and decision-making.

The concept of equity acknowledges that not only are differences in health status unfair and unjust, but they are also the result of differential access to the resources necessary for people to lead healthy lives.

Having a common understanding of equity is an essential foundation for a coordinated and collaborative effort to achieve equity in health and wellness.

Equity statement here

What does prioritising Equity mean for the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation?

The WBOP PHO has taken a strong pro-equity approach, as we know that the health system is not working for all priority groups, as identified in the Pae Ora (Health Futures) Act 2022.

The Act aims to achieve health equity for all New Zealanders, with a focus on eliminating health inequities, particularly, for Māori.

Under the Act, achieving equity means ensuring all population groups

have access to services in proportion to their health needs; and
receive equitable levels of service; and
achieve equitable health outcomes, in particular, for Māori.

How are we focussing on Māori inequities?

Equity is everyone’s responsibility. All inequities are unfair, unjust, and avoidable. Our focus on Māori Health is based on the following Rights and Needs.

Rights

To uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa. The Crown has a responsibility that includes the right to parity of health outcomes.
To acknowledge equity as a basic human right, underpinned by legislation, the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

NEEDS

To accept the evidence and facts that Tangata Whenua have on average, poorer health outcomes than Tangata Tiriti.
To understand there is a range of reasons for Māori Health inequities.
To acknowledge that the effects of colonisation are wide-reaching and still affect Tangata Whenua today.

The WBOP PHO has invested and continues to invest in Kaupapa Māori programmes. This approach to service delivery draws upon the values of tikanga and kawa, which are unique to their respective iwi and are recognised as integral to whānau well-being.

Our Commitment to Eliminating All Inequities

Whilst our focus on eliminating inequities for Māori is at the core of our strategy, we are determined to eliminate ALL inequities within our health system and for our WBOP population.

We invest in programmes to help our kaimahi (staff) understand unconscious bias and how that affects our practice and the way we treat people.
We are committed to developing allyship within our network to support our Rainbow whānau.
We champion and advocate for all marginalised groups.
We partner with NGOs, ethnic communities, disability providers and any other organisation that shares our vision to eliminate inequities for all New Zealanders.
We are strongly opposed to any discrimination against any individuals or groups and advocate for equity approaches that uphold dignity, improve wellbeing and achieve better health outcomes for our communities.