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Towards a reliable and accurate ethnicity database at district and national levels: progress in Canterbury

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 27
Authors:
  • Malcolm L
Summary:

Data for July 2009 from the five Canterbury primary health organisations (PHOs) were examined to determine the extent of ethnicity and related recording in the district, any variation between general practices and PHOs in ethnicity recording, and to compare the findings with census figures with particular reference to Māori. Among a total population of 476,042, 6.2% were recorded as Māori and 2.1% Pacific people. ‘No ethnicity’ was recorded for 3.4% of the population. This figure varied from 0.4 to 4.5% between PHOs but was much wider between practices. Comparison with census figures showed that 95.4% of the Canterbury district population were enrolled. A total of 76.4% of Māori were classified as enrolled as compared with the census estimates.

Comment:
I have to disagree with the authors. Auckland DHB has similar results – only 70% of Māori on the census are enrolled with PHOs; 120% of Pacifica people on the census are enrolled with PHOs. This suggests to me that PHOs are not collecting accurate ethnicity data and perhaps enrolling Maori patients with Pacifica ethnicity; and not as the authors suggest that PHOs have accurate ethnicity data! I understand that the Ministry of Health is looking into this and results should clear this issue up once and for all.
Reference: N Z Med J. 2010;123(1314):36-41.
Abstract
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Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood

Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.

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