Health Survey key findings released

Health Survey key findings released

17 November 2016

The Ministry of Health has published key results from the New Zealand Health Survey 2015/16.

The survey provides a snapshot of key health issues facing New Zealanders and is an important tool in monitoring health trends across the country and identifying areas for further research.

The latest update is based on data gathered from face-to-face interviews with more than 13,000 adults and 4,000 children from July 2015 to June 2016.

Official Tier 1 statistics contained in the report have been released today, while the full report will be released on 15 December 2016.

The Tier 1 statistics look at New Zealanders’ self-rated health, smoking, drinking, obesity, and mental health status, as well as cost barriers to people accessing GP care and filling prescriptions.

Highlights from this year’s survey include that 88% of New Zealanders report being in good health and 98% of those surveyed rate their children’s health as good; current smoking rates for adults have fallen from 20% in 2006/07 to 16% in 2015/16, and rates for 15-17 year olds are down from 16% in 2006/07 to 6% in 2015/16. Child obesity rates have stabilised at 11% of 2-14 year olds.

This year the survey data is presented in online tables which are simpler and faster to access. The data in these tables can now be downloaded in a machine-readable format.

You can find the latest survey results and those dating back to 2006/07 at http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/news-items/health-survey-key-findings-released

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