A Portrait of Health: Key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey

Abstract

The 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey is the fourth national population-based health survey carried out by the Ministry of Health. The first Health Survey was in 1992/93, followed by surveys in 1996/97 and 2002/03. The New Zealand Health Survey is particularly valuable as it collects information on New Zealanders’ health that is not available through health system records. The 2006/07 Survey measured self-reported physical and mental health states (including diagnosed health conditions), modifiable risk and protective factors for health outcomes, and the use of health care services, for the non-institutionalised resident population of all ages. The 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey was carried out from October 2006 to November 2007, collecting information on 4921 children aged from birth to 14 years and 12,488 adults aged 15 years and over. The survey included 11,632 European/Other people, 5143 Māori, 1831 Pacific peoples and 2255 Asian people of all ages. The survey results have been weighted in order to be representative of New Zealand’s resident population living in permanent private dwellings. A final response rate of 68% was achieved for the adult questionnaire and 71% for the child questionnaire. This report presents the key findings of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey by gender, age group, ethnic group, neighbourhood deprivation and District Health Board area where possible. Results are compared with earlier surveys where possible for the total population and for Māori by gender.