Social Determinants of Health in Aotearoa

The Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC), established under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, provides independent advice to the Minister of Health on major public health challenges. ‘Determining our Future’ is the first major report on determinants of health and equity in Aotearoa in over 25 years.

The report examines trends since 2000 in the distribution of the determinants of health (such as income, housing, cultural identity and social cohesion) and in health outcomes, and why these are unevenly distributed in our society. It looks forward to 2040, and assesses challenges to health equity and wellbeing, including the impacts of commercial interests and of the ‘megatrends’ - the climate crisis, AI and digital technology.

Determining our Future - Social, Cultural, Economic and Commercial Determinants of Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand: Actions to improve our health and wellbeing - Ministry of Health (external link)

This report considers the social, cultural and economic determinants of health and provides advice to the Minister of Health on practical strategies that will improve the health of New Zealanders and reduce socioeconomic inequalities in health.

The Social, Cultural and Economic Determinants of Health in New Zealand - Ministry of Health (external link)

This report uses Stats NZ’s Household Economic Survey (HES) to provide detailed information on child poverty covering the demographics and different household characteristics, trends in material hardship and how New Zealand children compare with European children.

Child Poverty Report - Ministry of Social Development (external link)

Social determinants of health are the circumstances in people's environments that can affect their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Social determinants of health - Healthify (external link)

We share knowledge about the critical importance of the first thousand days of life. We make research understandable and accessible to everyone who influences the lives of pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi.

Brainwave Trust (external link)

The New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service (NZCYES) established in 2004 is hosted by within the Paediatrics section of the Department of Women's and Children's Health in the Dunedin School of Medicine.

Through its annual report series, the New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service:

• Provides the New Zealand health sector with up to date and accurate information of the health of children and young people
• Highlights areas where there are disparities in child and youth health, or where inequities in service provision mean that children and young people are not reaching their full potential
• Contributes to the evidence base for policy development in child and youth health
• Shares the Service's expertise with other researchers interested in improving the wellbeing of children and young people

Reports include:

• Child Poverty Monitor
• NZ Series
• Māori series
• Pacific series
• District Health Board or Region

Reports by series - NZ Child and Youth Epidemiology Service (external link)