Maori health initiative shows early success

Maori health initiative shows early success

Initial results of a pilot health programme that puts Māori in charge of their own futures has found new ways to measure both social and clinical results. The results of the programme’s first 12 months were presented by participants at a function at Parliament yesterday.

The programme, Kia Rite Kia Ora, is being developed by Wairarapa health trust, Whaiora, in response to the Ministry of Health’s call in 2010 for new ways to improve overall Māori health and in particular, to stem the growing epidemic of diabetes and heart disease.

It was one of 32 selected to receive funding for whanau ora through the Māori Health Innovations Fund.

The programme’s first 10 graduates and their whanau today told of their own progress at the Parliamentary function.

The intensive programme supports Māori to realise their potential by building on whanau strengths, enabling them to set their own priorities and manage their own health.

Whaiora, programme participants and external evaluators have jointly developed a model that measures results in the six nationally-identified Whānau Ora goals: self-management, healthy lifestyles, participation in society, confidently participating in te ao Māori, economic security, and cohesive, resilient and nurturing families. A seventh, clinical goal to reduce and manage risk of diabetes and heart disease was added. Participants assess and track their own progress in each area.

Whaiora registered nurse, Hera Edwards, said while it was early days for the programme, the overall gains made have been extremely encouraging, with improvements in all seven areas.

“We want them to have the skills to know how to get out of living in crisis, and this is definitely the case with our first graduates. Overall, whānau report that they are in control of lives, managing their health better, more financially secure, taking a more active role in society, accessing more support, making better consumption choices and participating more in cultural activities, Hera said.”

“We believe the progress made across these six social goals has led to clinical improvements. “While the numbers at this early stage are small and we can’t yet draw major conclusions, we are seeing reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight and risk of developing heart disease. We’ve also seen significant reductions in hospital admissions and emergency department visits amongst the group.”

“There are well-established ways of measuring clinical results, however, measuring the success of the less tangible social aspects is much more difficult. The Ministry’s innovations project allowed us to work outside of the traditional health funding contract and develop ways to measure the non-clinical results from the ground up.

“Half-way through the programme we are starting to see encouraging results while working with staff and whanau to constantly refine the measurement tool we have developed. The programme learning is dependent on the learning of the whānau.”

Speaking on behalf of Whanau Ora Minister Tariana Turia, MP for Waiariki Te Uruora Flavall thanked the Wairarapa whanau for bringing their stories to Parliament. “It’s very moving hear your inspirational stories,” said Mr Flavell. “We are here every day making decisions that affect people’s lives – but you are the real agents for change and I encourage you to spread the word. I would like to think that what you are doing in Wairarapa can happen all over New Zealand.”

A full set of results is expected to be available in another 15 months’ time when two further groups will have completed the programme.

Hera Edwards said the ultimate aim was to develop a robust programme and measurement tool that can be shared with other providers nationally and published academically.

“This programme was not designed to make our whānau flawless or as a quick fix. It’s a way to make good health normal for them again – giving them the information and tools that motivate them to make changes which will have a ripple effect throughout the community.”

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