Fit-for-purpose systems Fit-for-purpose and well-functioning systems and technologies are crucial enablers of stewardship of the health system. They are key to creating a more sustainable, and digitally enabled health system. We acknowledge that we need to upgrade our systems (including IT systems) and processes, which are the basic building blocks of an effective organisation capable of leading the system. This year we have focused on: improving our core business (eg, official correspondence, planning and budgeting processes, and reporting) implementing Infrastructure as a Service for the Ministry and Ministry-delivered sector systems establishing supporting functions (eg, an Enterprise Portfolio Management Office) upgrading our financial systems. Our long-term work programme addresses how we ensure that we work more efficiently and effectively, and appropriate prioritisation of investment in both national systems and Ministry systems. Data, analytics and the voice of the customer The success of our health system depends on applying analytics, insights and the voice of the customer. This year the Ministry developed a vision for our analytics function, piloted population-based analytics and modelling for some of our strategic priorities, and began implementation of the QlikSense business analytics tool. New Zealand Digital Health Strategy The New Zealand health and disability sector and the rapidly changing digital landscape are complex. The Ministry’s Digital Health Strategy helps us navigate this complexity by guiding sector investment in, and use of, digital technologies. We developed the Strategy through engagement with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders in the Ministry and the sector (including DHBs, primary care organisations and NGOs), and other stakeholders such as the government Chief Digital Officer, consumers, academia and industry partners. We also developed, in collaboration with the sector, the , to support the New Zealand Health Strategy, and outline how we see technology shaping the way New Zealanders ‘live well, stay well and get well’ in 2026. We created the website digital.health.nz as a digital channel allowing us to engage with a broad range of stakeholders. We have published the Vision for Health Technology on the website, and will publish the Digital Health Strategy there following approval.
Non-Māori females 83.9 83.0 81.9 80.6 Improvements in Māori life expectancy at birth since 1995-97 have narrowed the gap between Māori and non-Māori. Decrease age-standardised Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) per 1,000 people One DALY represents the loss of one year lived in full health. DALYs include health losses from premature mortality and years lived with a disability based on severity Decrease Age-standardised DALY rates per 1,000 population have been steadily decreasing since 1990. The rate of decrease has slowed in recent years. As the population is growing and ageing, the absolute number of DALYs has slowly increased, from 950,000 in 1990 to around 1.1 million in 2013. Disability adjusted life years (DALY) per 1,000 people 2016 2013 2010 2005 2000 Male 244 236 238 243 257 Female 226 222 223 228 233 Total 234 229 230 235 245 Life expectancy by health spending per capita compares well within the OECD New Zealand maintains its position within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) balancing relatively high life expectancy outcomes with relatively modest expenditure Maintain OECD position New Zealand has maintained its position within the OECD as having relatively high life expectancy for relatively modest expenditure. New Zealand performs well internationally with respect to life expectancy in terms of health spending per capita: it has relatively high life expectancy for comparatively modest health expenditure. In 2016 New Zealand achieved higher life expectancy than could be expected (the 13th highest among 33 countries) given expenditure on health care (19th highest among 36 countries) relative to other OECD countries. OECD life expectancy and health expenditure – position out of OECD countries 2016 2015 2010 2005 2000 Life expectancy 13th of 33 14th of 36 13th of 35 12th of 35 13th of 35 Health expenditure 19th of 36 19th of 35 20th of 35 23rd of 35 20th of 35 Impact measures 6: Impact measures Measure Target Results
The results of the burden of disease and health surveys are improved Improved results Survey results have continued to improve from 1990 for most risk factors. Health loss attributable to selected risk factors on DALY rates per 1,000 people Risk factors surveyed 2016 (rate per 1,000) 2010 (rate per 1,000) 2000 (rate per 1,000) 1990 (rate per 1,000) High blood pressure (systolic) 13.0 13.9 21.0 33.2 High cholesterol (total blood level) 6.4 7.0 11.5 20.5 Tobacco use 14.6 16.2 22.4 32.4 Alcohol use and hazardous drinking 10.1 10.3 11.2 17.2 Insufficient intake of vegetables 2.5 2.6 3.7 5.4 Insufficient intake of 3.0 3.3 4.5 6.2 Low physical activity 2.1 2.3 3.3 5.0 Illegal drug use 4.3 4.3 4.2 3.7 At least 85% of new babies are enrolled with Plunket in the Well Child/Tamariki Ora (WCTO) programme Greater than 85% The Ministry works to support DHBs to improve WCTO service enrolment to target improvement to access and utilisation of WCTO services for at risk children and their families/whānau. New babies enrolled with Well Child/Tamariki Ora programme 2017/18 2016/17 2015/16 Percentage 85.4% 89.0% 88.3% Daily smoking prevalence falls to 10% by 2018 and Māori and Pacific rates halve from their 2011 levels as part of Smokefree 2025 Prevalence less than 10% Targeted reduction: Māori greater than 50% Pacific greater than 50% The rate of smoking prevalence across the whole population is reducing. However for Māori and Pacific populations smoking rates have not seen the same level of reduction and the Ministry continues to focus on reducing smoking in these population groups. Daily smoking prevalence (15 years and over) 2016/17 2015/16 2014/15 Total 13.8% 14.2% 15.0% 15.7% 15.6% Māori 32.5% 35.5% 35.5% 37.8% 36.2% Pacific 21.8% 22.8% 22.4% 22.9% 22.0%