As Men’s Health Week begins, Radio Waatea is drawing on years of reporting and conversations with some of Aotearoa’s leading health experts to shine a light on the health challenges that continue to claim the lives of too many tāne Māori.
Over the past several years, Waatea estimates it has produced more than a thousand hauora-related stories, speaking with everyone from frontline health workers and community advocates to senior clinicians, researchers and Health Ministers.
That coverage has revealed a consistent pattern: while many health outcomes for Māori are improving, significant inequities remain, and too many Māori men are still dying younger than they should from preventable illnesses and injuries.
Based on recurring themes from hundreds of interviews and health reports, Waatea has identified five major health issues that repeatedly emerge as the leading causes of preventable death among tāne Māori.
At the top of the list is cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. Health experts have consistently warned that Māori men experience significantly higher rates of heart-related illness and are more likely to die younger from cardiovascular conditions than non-Māori.
Lung cancer remains another major concern, with smoking continuing to be one of the most significant risk factors despite progress in reducing tobacco use across many communities.
Gastrointestinal cancers, particularly bowel cancer, also feature prominently in mortality statistics. Health professionals continue to stress the importance of early diagnosis, recognising symptoms and participating in screening programmes.
Type 2 diabetes remains a major contributor to poor health outcomes, affecting Māori at disproportionately high rates and increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.
The fifth issue is suicide and preventable injury. Mental health advocates have long highlighted the need for stronger support systems, earlier intervention and open conversations to address the devastating impact of suicide, particularly among younger Māori men.
Health experts say many of the risk factors associated with these conditions are modifiable through improved access to healthcare, healthier lifestyles, earlier screening, smoking cessation, physical activity and stronger mental wellbeing support.
Throughout Men’s Health Week, Radio Waatea will dedicate coverage to each of these five key kaupapa, exploring the latest research, hearing from experts and sharing practical information that could help save lives.
The series aims to encourage kōrero within whānau, raise awareness of available support services and highlight the actions that can help tāne Māori live longer, healthier lives.
Waatea listeners are encouraged to follow the week-long series as the station takes a closer look at the challenges, solutions and stories behind some of the most pressing health issues facing Māori men today.
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