February 25, 2013
Home hazards subject for research
Massey University’s new College of Health is planning a comprehensive study of injury hazards in Māori homes.
Professor Chris Cunningham, the director of the college’s research centre for Māori health, says such hazards are a significant cause of injury to Māori.
He says many Māori houses are relatively poorly maintained.
Using a sample of almost 200 houses from the university’s long running Best Outcomes for Māori: Te Hoe Nuku study, researchers will spend up to $500 per house fixing up small hazards that contribute to slips, trips.
This could involve attaching grab handles over baths, stretching carpet, installing smoke alarms, adding grips to stairs, improving lighting and fixing obvious broken items.
The new college brings together specialists from disciplines including from public health, sport and exercise, rehabilitation, nursing, social work and social policy, food and nutrition as well as Māori and Pasifika health.
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