LEADING FOR OUTCOMES: Health system change / Community primary care / Population health / CVD / Diabetes

The Primary Health Care Strategy (2001)
From the introduction to the Strategy:
“A strong primary health care system is central to improving the health of New Zealanders and, in particular, tackling inequalities in health.

This Strategy provides a clear direction for the future development of primary health care so that it can play this central role within the new health system. There is evidence available about the specific contribution primary health care can make to improved health outcomes which has informed the new direction.”

The Strategy’s vision:
Over five to ten years a new vision will be achieved:

• People will be part of local primary health care services that improve their health, keep them well, are easy to get to and co-ordinate their ongoing care.
• Primary health care services will focus on better health for a population, and actively work to reduce health inequalities between different groups.

This vision involves a new direction for primary health care with a greater emphasis on population health and the role of the community, health promotion and preventive care, the need to involve a range of professionals, and the advantages of funding based on population needs rather than fees for service.”

“Six key directions for primary health care will achieve this vision:

• work with local communities and enrolled populations
• identify and remove health inequalities
• offer access to comprehensive services to improve, maintain and restore people’s health
• co-ordinate care across service areas
• develop the primary health care workforce
• continuously improve quality using good information”

The Ministry site contains a link to the strategy itself as well as coverage of its ongoing evaluation, extensive resources for PHOs, publications, Care Plus and its evaluation, and many useful links to other sites.

Healthy Eating – Healthy Action: Oranga Kai – Oranga Pumao (HEHA)
A strategic framework published in 2003

From the introduction to HEHA:
“Healthy Eating – Healthy Action (HEHA) is the Ministry of Health’s strategic approach to improving nutrition, increasing physical activity and achieving healthy weight for all New Zealanders.

SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) are important partners in HEHA.

Improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, and reducing obesity are three of the thirteen health priorities identified in the New Zealand Health Strategy.”

The vision informing HEHA:
“An environment and society where individuals, families and whānau, and communities are supported to eat well, live physically active lives, and attain and maintain a healthy body weight.”

The 8 key messages from HEHA:

• eat a variety of nutritious foods
• eat less fatty, salty, sugary foods
• eat more vegetables and fruits
• fully breastfeed infants for at least six months
• be active every day for at least 30 minutes in as many ways as possible
• add some vigorous exercise for extra benefit and fitness
• aim to maintain a healthy weight throughout life
• promote and foster the development of environments that support healthy lifestyles.