The Epidemiological Profile of Older Adults of Pacific Peoples Ethnicity in New Zealand Assessed for Home Support and Aged Residential Care.

To investigate the impact of New Zealand's (NZ) first wave of COVID-19, which included a nationwide lockdown, on the health and psychosocial well-being of Māori, Pacific Peoples and NZ Europeans in aged residential care (ARC). interRAI assessments of Māori, Pacific Peoples and NZ Europeans (aged 60years and older) completed between 21/3/2020 and 8/6/2020 were compared with assessments of the same ethnicities during the same period in the previous year (21/3/2019 to 8/6/2019). Physical, cognitive, psychosocial and service utilisation indicators were included in the bivariate analyses. A total of 538Māori, 276Pacific Peoples and 11,322NZ Europeans had an interRAI assessment during the first wave of COVID-19, while there were 549Māori, 248Pacific Peoples and 12,367NZ Europeans in the comparative period. Fewer Māori reported feeling lonely (7.8% vs. 4.5%, p=0.021), but more NZ Europeans reported severe depressive symptoms (6.9% vs. 6.3%, p=0.028) during COVID-19. Lower rates of hospitalisation were observed in Māori (7.4% vs. 10.9%, p=0.046) and NZ Europeans (8.1% vs. 9.4%, p<0.001) during COVID-19. We found a lower rate of loneliness in Māori but a higher rate of depression in NZ European ARC populations during the first wave of COVID-19. Further research, including qualitative studies with ARC staff, residents and families, and different ethnic communities, is needed to explain these ethnic group differences. Longer-term effects from the COVID-19 pandemic on ARC populations should also be investigated.

<strong>Context:</strong> Compared to Europeans, Māori and Pacific peoples living with dementia in the Counties Manukau District Health Board region are three times less likely to use Aged Residential Care (ARC). <strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate whether reduced ARC utilisation by Māori and Pacific peoples living with dementia is equitably compensated by an increase in Home Based Support Service (HBSS). <strong>Methods:</strong> Routinely collected sociodemographic and clinical data for people diagnosed with dementia at an NZ memory service (2013–2019) were linked with administrative ARC and HBSS invoicing data. Two-part models were used to estimate adjusted costs of HBSS utilisation or ARC placement. <strong>Findings: </strong>six hundred fifty-seven people of European, Māori and Pacific ethnicity were included in the analysis. Compared to Europeans, both unadjusted and adjusted ARC costs per person-year were significantly lower for both Māori (–NZD$3580, 95%CI: –$6890, –$140) and Pacific peoples (–NZD$3110, 95%CI: –$5590, –$540) but HBSS cost per person-year was only higher for Pacific peoples (+NZD$640, 95%CI: $100, $1180) and not Māori (+NZD$180, 95%CI: –$470, $840). There was no significant difference in the combined HBSS and ARC cost per person-year for Māori (–NZD3460, 95%CI –7200, 280) or Pacific peoples (–NZD2490 95%CI –5090, 110). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Lower ARC utilisation amongst Māori and Pacific peoples living with dementia does not translate to an equitable increase in HBSS spend. The difference is likely to be compensated by care provided by unpaid family carers. Addressing the wider determinants of long-term care use in these populations and providing alternative culturally appropriate services must be prioritised to address this inequity in allocation of public sector resources.

Pacific peoples three months after injury: a comparison of outcomes between Pacific and non-Pacific participants in a NZ cohort study.

To assess the equity of care of patients with non-traumatic dental presentations (NTDP) to Christchurch Emergency Department (ED) in Aotearoa New Zealand. This retrospective observational study reviews NTDP to Christchurch ED over a 2-year period (2018-2020). ED and hospital outcomes were compared for Māori, Pacific peoples and NZ Europeans. Results are interpreted utilising Te Ao Māori principles and discussed referencing a Kaupapa Māori framework. There were a total of 2,034 NTDPs, with Māori (27.0%) and Pacific peoples (6.9%) being over-represented compared to local population estimates (9.4% and 3.2% respectively). Māori experienced shorter wait times (45 minutes, 95% CI 22-86) compared to NZ Europeans (56 minutes, 95% CI 24-97) and Pacific peoples (54 minutes, 95% CI 23-97). Māori had the highest age-standardised incidence of admission, but shorter hospital length of stay (0.9 days, IQR 0.4-2.3) compared to Pacific peoples (3.8 days, IQR 1.8-3.9) and NZ Europeans (2.0 days, IQR 1.0-3.7). This is the first paper to employ a Kaupapa Māori approach examining NTDP patients presenting to the ED. While outcome measures were largely positive, differences in demographic variables indicate upstream failures, specifically barriers to accessing primary oral healthcare and a paucity of Kaupapa Māori initiatives. Further action and accountability are required to provide high-quality, equitable care for Māori.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand disproportionately affect Māori and Pacific peoples, who experience higher risk factors, hospitalisations and mortality than NZ Europeans. These disparities stem from the historical and contemporary effects of colonisation, including institutional racism, impacting access to healthcare and socio-economic resources. Despite guidelines for earlier CVD risk assessments (CVDRA), gaps in identification and management persist. The Manawataki Fatu Fatu (MFF) for Māori and Pacific Hearts in Unison for Achieving Cardiovascular Care in Equity Studies (ACCESS) is a Māori and Pacific-led research programme examining CVD inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study presents phase three, focussing on qualitative co-design hui (meetings) across Aotearoa New Zealand to gather insights from Māori and Pacific patients, whānau (family/supports) and kaimahi (healthcare workers) engaged with CVD services spanning primary to secondary care. A total of 105 participants attended four regional hui focussed on the heart healthcare experiences of Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. Template analysis revealed four key themes for achieving equitable healthcare: the importance of the whānau/community, the need for providers to engage with patients at their level, the persistent barriers faced and a strong commitment to protecting Māori and Pacific communities and kaimahi. This study is a comprehensive qualitative investigation into heart healthcare for Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings reiterate that care must align with the realities of Māori and Pacific peoples and that interventions must address long-standing systemic barriers to care.

Plasma concentrations of the heart failure (HF) biomarker N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) vary by ethnicity. We investigated whether NT-proBNP concentrations differed in HF between Pacific peoples, Māori (the Indigenous people), and New Zealand (NZ) Europeans, in patients with HF. Plasma NT-proBNP was measured in patients with HF participating in two prospective NZ based multicentre studies [PEOPLE: n=836, 30% female, median age 71, interquartile interval (IQI) 60, 80; IMPERATIVE-HF: n=413, 30% female, median age 66, IQI 55, 76]. Regression analyses were used to understand predictors of NT-proBNP taking into account age, sex, body mass index (BMI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Median NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly lower in both Pacific (930pg/mL; P<0.001, IQI 409-1,473; n=127) and Māori (1,387pg/mL, IQI 685-2,393; P<0.001; n=221) compared with NZ Europeans (2,055pg/mL, IQI 973-3,865; n=901) in unadjusted comparisons. NT-proBNP was independently associated with ethnicity, age, sex, BMI, eGFR, LVEF and presence of AF. The significant differences in plasma NT-proBNP between Pacific peoples, but not Māori, and NZ Europeans remained after adjusting for these clinical and demographic factors. The effect of age on NT-proBNP concentrations differed significantly between Pacific peoples and NZ Europeans, but not between Māori and NZ European (Pinteraction=0.0109). For each decade of life over 60years, plasma NT-proBNP in patients with HF was on average, 67% lower in a Pacific person than that of an aged-matched NZ European. In HF, Pacific and Māori people had significantly lower median plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP than NZ Europeans. This difference remained after adjusting for clinical and demographic factors in patients with Pacific ethnicity. Pacific peoples also had a significantly lower rate of increase of NT-proBNP with age compared with NZ Europeans and Māori.

Pacific Peoples comprise over 16 culturally diverse ethnic groups and experience a disproportionate burden of preventable cancers, attributable to infectious diseases and obesity. This study aims to provide updated evidence on cancer incidence, mortality and survival rates among Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study extracted incident cases of cancer diagnosed between 2007-2019 from the New Zealand Cancer Registry (NZCR) and linked them to the national Mortality Collection to determine individuals who died of cancer over the study period. The study also compared cancer survival rates between Pacific and European peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. The most commonly diagnosed cancers and the most common causes of cancer death among Pacific Peoples were identified, and key findings were summarised. The European population was utilised as the comparator group for the analyses. The study employed a total ethnicity approach, wherein anyone with a record of Pacific ethnicity was classified as Total Pacific, regardless of other ethnicities. The age- and sex-standardised incidence and mortality rates were calculated, and 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates determined. We used Cox proportional-hazards models to compare survival outcomes between Pacific and European peoples. The study results revealed that Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand experience higher cancer incidence and a lower survival rate for several cancers, including lung, liver and stomach cancers, when compared to the European population. This study underscores the need for intervention to reduce the burden of cancer among Pacific Peoples and improve cancer outcomes. This study's findings can inform planning and delivery of interventions to achieve equitable outcomes across the cancer continuum for Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Pacific Peoples comprise over 16 culturally diverse ethnic groups and experience a disproportionate burden of preventable cancers, attributable to infectious diseases and obesity. This study aims to provide updated evidence on cancer incidence, mortality and survival rates among Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. The study extracted incident cases of cancer diagnosed between 2007-2019 from the New Zealand Cancer Registry (NZCR) and linked them to the national Mortality Collection to determine individuals who died of cancer over the study period. The study also compared cancer survival rates between Pacific and European peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. The most commonly diagnosed cancers and the most common causes of cancer death among Pacific Peoples were identified, and key findings were summarised. The European population was utilised as the comparator group for the analyses. The study employed a total ethnicity approach, wherein anyone with a record of Pacific ethnicity was classified as Total Pacific, regardless of other ethnicities. The age- and sex-standardised incidence and mortality rates were calculated, and 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates determined. We used Cox proportional-hazards models to compare survival outcomes between Pacific and European peoples. The study results revealed that Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand experience higher cancer incidence and a lower survival rate for several cancers, including lung, liver and stomach cancers, when compared to the European population. This study underscores the need for intervention to reduce the burden of cancer among Pacific Peoples and improve cancer outcomes. This study's findings can inform planning and delivery of interventions to achieve equitable outcomes across the cancer continuum for Pacific Peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand.

To explore socio-demographic characteristics of non-attenders at diabetic retinal screening. A retrospective, register-based cross-sectional analysis of 10,275 participants invited to diabetic retinal screening in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) between May 2011 and June 2020 was performed. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of age, sex, type of diabetes, ethnicity and socio-economic deprivation with non-attendance at diabetic retinal screening. Median age was 66 years and 54.3% of participants were male. The non-attendance rate was 26.4%, with 46.6% of individuals having at least one non-attendance. Younger age was associated with higher odds of non-attendance (OR 1.84 95% CI 1.41-2.40, <0.001 for odds of non-attendance in those aged under 35 years compared with age over 75 years). Māori (OR 2.69, 95% CI 2.44-2.96, p<0.001) and Pacific peoples (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.25-2.36, p=0.001) had higher odds of non-attendance compared with NZ Europeans. People living in areas of high socio-economic deprivation had higher odds of non-attendance (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.33-1.82, p<0.001), as did type 1 diabetics (OR 1.31, p5% CI 1.08-1.59, p=0.006). Younger age, socio-economic deprivation, type 1 diabetes and Māori and Pacific ethnicity are risk factors for nonattendance at diabetic retinal screening.

To develop ethnic-specific echocardiography reference ranges for Aotearoa, and to investigate the impact of indexation to body surface area (BSA). Current reference international ranges are derived from people of mostly NZ European ethnicity and may not be appropriate for Māori and New Zealanders of Pacific ethnicity, who both experience high rates of cardiovascular disease. Echocardiography was performed in a cross-sectional study of 263 healthy adults (18-50 years): Māori (N=71, 43 female), Pacific (N=53, 28 female), European (N=139, 74 female). Linear measurements of the left heart are reported and indexed to BSA. The upper/lower limit of normal (ULN/LLN) by ethnicity and sex were derived (quantile regression). Ethnic- and sex-specific differences were examined using ANOVA. The ULN was higher for all un-indexed dimensions in men compared to women, and for most indices the ULN was smallest in NZ Europeans and largest in Māori and Pacific peoples. Indexation reversed these relationships: NZ Europeans had higher ULN for many measurements. Indexing to BSA introduced bias that preferences the NZ European ethnicity by creating an upper limit reference threshold that far exceeds this sample's upper range. As a result, this may lead to under-recognition of cardiac enlargement in Māori and Pacific patients, and in particular for women. Unique reference ranges for all ethnic groups and sexes are required to optimally detect and manage cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Aotearoa.

Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand experience significant inequities in heart failure rates, treatment and outcomes compared to NZ Europeans. We aimed to understand the experiences of Māori and Pacific people living with heart failure as they navigated care across primary and secondary settings. This research involved a secondary analysis of data collected in a wider qualitative study investigating evidence-practice gaps of cardiovascular care experienced by Māori and Pacific people. From the wider pool of semi-structured interviews, we identified 24 people (seven Māori and 17 Pacific peoples, 23 from the North Island) living with heart failure, and applied template and framework analysis to explore their distinct experiences. Two major themes identified related to participants: 1) Condition-need for more support to understand and self-manage their heart failure condition, and 2) Journey-desire to feel well-connected to the health system in their heart failure journey. Addressing heart failure inequities for Māori and Pacific peoples requires that providers engage in clear and meaningful communication to support patient self-management. Strengthening pathways for Māori and Pacific patients and whānau (families) between primary and secondary services is required to reduce their likelihood of becoming disconnected from care.

This study reports acute rheumatic fever (ARF) rates and admission rates for skin infections across the Bay of Plenty from 2000 to 2022 since health initiatives for both commenced in 2011. Skin infection hospital admission rates and ARF rates for those under 30 years of age focussed on 2011-2019 after interventions began, compared with 2000-2010. Outcomes/trends were estimated by age bands, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic deprivation. Mean skin infection rates changed very little. However, rates increased between 2000 and 2010 then declined following skin infection programmes' implementation. Comparing 2017-2019 with 2007-2010, skin infection admission rates for Māori declined 40% for preschoolers, 14% for school-age children and 24% for young adults. Inequities persisted. Māori experienced 90% of the ARF (Pacific peoples 6%, NZ Europeans 4%), 80% at school-age. ARF under-30-years-of-age rates 2011-2019 compared with 2000-2010 declined by 29%, with risk ratios of Māori:NZ European 24.33; Māori, High Deprivation:Moderate 3.97 and Male:Female 2.23. School-age ARF rates for Māori declined by 36%. Young adults' ARF rates were unchanged. While rising skin infection admission rates during the first study period returned to baseline following interventions, ARF declined significantly and contemporaneously for under-30-year-olds and specifically for school-age Māori. Ethnic and socioeconomic disparities persist, needing more concurrent focussed interventions.

ObjectiveEthnic inequities in heart failure (HF) have been documented in several countries. This study describes New Zealand (NZ) trends in incident HF hospitalisation by ethnicity between 2006 and 2018.MethodsIncident HF...

Although high prevalence of gout in Māori and Pacific people is well-documented, the experience of disease in these groups has not been explored in detail. The aim of this analysis was to describe the experience and impact of gout in Māori and Pacific people. Patients with gout for <10 years were recruited from primary and secondary care settings into a prospective observational study (n = 291; 37 Māori, 35 Pacific, and 219 not Māori or Pacific). Participants attended a baseline study visit which included a comprehensive clinical assessment. Serum urate, flare frequency and activity limitation were recorded at baseline and after 1 year. Māori and Pacific participants had earlier age of onset (by 9 years), higher flare frequency and more features of joint inflammation. Serum urate concentrations were higher in the Māori and Pacific patients at baseline, despite greater use of allopurinol. Māori and Pacific patients reported greater pain and activity limitation and lower health-related quality of life. The cost of gout treatment was more than three times higher in the Māori and Pacific patients. After 1 year, the higher flare frequency and activity limitation persisted in the Māori and Pacific patients. Māori and Pacific people with gout experience early onset, severe disease with frequent flares and poorly controlled hyperuricaemia. Māori and Pacific ethnicity should be recognised as a prognostic factor for more severe outcomes in this disease, and intensive efforts should be made to work with these patients to control serum urate and prevent flares.

Travel inequities experienced by Pacific peoples in Aotearoa/New Zealand