Kiwis letting health slide, study finds

A jogger crosses the Mission Bay bridge. Kiwis are giving up on medical visits and healthy living, a study has found. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealanders are putting off doctors visits and surgeries and giving up on healthy behaviour, according to a survey.

The survey, done for Southern Cross Healthcare by TNS Conversa, interviewed 1030 Southern Cross members and non-members about their use of health services.

Results found the number of people who visited their GP when they felt unwell fell from 64 per cent in 2008 to 56 per cent this year.

Also, the number of people actively participating in sports, going to the gym, and dieting for weight loss decreased significantly.

The survey showed 25 per cent of people would not be able to fund an elective surgical procedure costing $5000 and 35 per cent relied on health insurance to fund surgery (up from 24 per cent a year ago).

The positives of the survey were more people eating a balanced diet and limiting alcohol consumption and an increased reluctance to go into debt to fund surgery.

Southern Cross Insurance chief executive Peter Tynan said tough financial times have had an impact on how people are looking after their health. "Early access to primary healthcare is a proven way to address minor health issues before they become major health issues. And elective surgical procedures in the $5000 price range can have a significant positive impact on the quality of people's lives."

Examples of these kind of procedures include partial mastectomy, hernia repair, simple endometriosis surgery and keyhole knee surgery.

"Skimping on health services has the potential to impact on the long-term health of the individual and on future costs for the entire health system."

Mr Tynan said they found different attitudes towards health across age groups. Young people are aware of their health needs, but do not view them as a priority, while the elderly are affected by the affordability of services.

For families both money and time are a concern.

He believes growing awareness combined with the recession has contributed to the increase in people limiting alcohol intake.

NZ Medical Association chairman Dr Peter Foley was surprised by the findings. He said primary healthcare funding should make it easier to visit a GP and is disappointed people are putting off seeing a doctor.

"In times of economic hardship health can suffer." He said GPs have held off on fee increases in the recession, keeping them below cost.

This year, GPs were given approval for a "reasonable fee increase" of 6.5 per cent, taking the average patient fee to $28.

Dr Foley is not surprised the number of people taking part in sports activities has dropped, as these are costly.

"I've had to stop going to the gym and find cheaper ways to exercise."

He said the increased cost of health insurance was making it harder for the elderly to access elective surgeries.

"Health is a commodity that will always go up."

President of the Private Surgical Hospitals Association, Terry Moore, said the survey showed the importance of having health insurance and his organisation supported that message.

"I'm a very strong advocate for strong government initiatives for health insurance."

He believes tougher economic times means people are put off having surgeries if they are unable to access treatment in the public sector.

He is surprised fewer people were visiting their GPs and said current subsidies paid into primary care should make it more affordable.

The Ministry of Health wants to look at the findings in more detail.

Primary healthcare implementation chief adviser Dr Jim Primrose said the Ministry was constantly monitoring the issue of costs.