Politicians must put fairness first

Politicians must put fairness first

The Public Health Association (PHA) is backing the call  for all politicians to make decisions that are fair so that all New Zealanders, particularly children, have the basics needed for healthy living.

An editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal published today, before next week's symposia in Auckland and Wellington by world leading researcher Sir Michael Marmot,* details  the huge unfair burden of ill health  and early death in New Zealand as the result of unjust policies, and what needs to be done to put the situation right.

"New Zealand is ridiculously unfair. We have children in poorer families, in Maori and Pacific families, dying or with their little lungs rotted, or having their tiny hearts damaged,  not just 25 percent more than other children, not just double the rate of other children, but up to 20 or 50 times the rate of other children,**"says the PHA National Executive Officer Dr Gay Keating.

"These unnecessary and horrible health problems can be avoided. Good health begins where we live, learn, work and play. The most important thing is the political will to create fair and just policies so that all children, families and communities can flourish, not just the privileged.

"Then that political will for fairness needs to carry on. We need to invest in more services so all children have the opportunity for a healthy life. Childhood is when the foundation of adult health and wellbeing is formed. Neglecting it is short sighted and irresponsible. By investing in our children we are investing in a healthy, productive future for our country.

"We also need to carry that focus on fairness through in health policies and services."