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Financial barriers to primary health care in Aotearoa New Zealand

Making Education Easy

From Māori Health Review Issue 113
Authors:
  • Jeffreys A et al.
Summary:

Māori experience considerable inequity in access to primary health care, according to a study using data from the New Zealand Health Survey (2011/12 to 2018/19). Pooled data included 107,231 individuals, of whom 22,292 (21%) were Māori. Overall, 22% of Māori compared with 13% of non-Māori reported a cost barrier to seeing a GP (age- and year-adjusted odds ratio 1.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-1.81). Furthermore, 14% of Māori compared with 5% of non-Māori reported a cost barrier to collecting a prescription (age- and year-adjusted odds ratio 2.97 (95% CI 2.75-3.20). In a fully adjusted model, age, sex, low income, and poorer underlying health were determinants of both cost barriers, and deprivation was additionally associated with the cost barrier to collecting a prescription.

Comment:
Reduced prescription and GP costs hold such potential to address health inequities and improve outcomes for Māori, as demonstrated here. The authors note one study which found that for every $5 a patient didn’t have to pay for a prescription there was $1200 saved in terms of hospital bed days. They plan to look at the effect of inability to pay to see the GP too, providing further evidence for decision-makers.
Reference: Fam Pract. 2024;41(6):995-1001.
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.

Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.

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