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Study Of Maori Men's Health Underway
Study Of Maori Men's Health Underway
Chronic disease is a major cause of death for Maori men in the Waikato.
Now a new three-year study undertaken by Waikato District Health Board's Te Puna Oranga (Maori health service) will look at barriers to achieving whanau ora by Maori men over 40 with an existing chronic disease or cancer.
Whanau ora is the goal of the national Maori Health Strategy (He Korowai Oranga) and is defined as Maori families supported to achieve their maximum health and well being.
The project builds on the strategy by examining whanau ora in the context of Maori men's health with research help from the Waikato Clinical School, part of the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
Funding for the study came from the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology Maori knowledge and development fund.
Its focus is in the Waikato DHB region, providing a stock take of whanau ora interventions and investigates the individual experiences of Maori men with a chronic disease or cancer.
Interviews will take place with the men, their whanau support persons, clinicians and service providers.
Te Puna Oranga principal investigator Wayne Johnstone said one of the aims of the study was to use the results to inform a clinical pathway more responsive to Maori men.
"There is strong local support both for the project and the kaupapa of M*ori men's health. A range of services exist that both treat and provide support to chronic disease and cancer patients from which the project will draw together a range of views that will identify how these services can be built upon and improved for Maori, especially Maori men," said Mr Johnstone.
Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) chief executive Dr Robin Olds said he was excited to see the collaboration between Waikato DHB and the Waikato Clinical School.
"I believe the investment in research that focuses on whanau ora through Maori men's health that translates directly into clinical decision making for the DHB will be extremely valuable," he said.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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