The Health Ministry’s top Māori says it’s critical Māori are well represented on a new Public Health Advisory Committee.
The ministry is seeking expressions of interest from people who want to join.
Deputy Director-General John Whaanga says up to seven experts will look into long-term and often neglected health challenges such as childhood immunization, obesity and nutrition, and sexual health.
“I think it’s really important that we have strong Māori and Pacific membership and I know the Minister is really interested to make sure that happens because we carry a disproportionate burden of ill-health (in) our population, and it’s really important to ensure not only are we getting good services for our health conditions now but to address health in a way that prevents those illnesses coming down on us in the future,” he says.
The committee will report directly to Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall.
