Why are we dying too soon?

PEOPLE are dying earlier in Wanganui than virtually anywhere else in the country, a new report shows.
Alarming figures released at the weekend show the Whanganui region has the second lowest life expectancy in New Zealand ? and nearly two years lower than the national average.
The DHB Whanganui region has a life expectancy of 76.5 years. The national average being 78.9 years.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Patrick O'Connor said life expectancy depended on socio-economic status.
"There is also a marked gap between [the life expectancy of] Maori and non-Maori," Dr O'Connor said.
Funding for the Whanganui Health Board was based on a population-based model that made adjustments for local socio-economic factors.
Dr O Connor said greater adjustments needed to be made but he didn't think any changes were on the horizon.
"I think this shows there is a strong case for more money and that a good part of that should come here? but I couldn't comment on that likelihood."
The report had created "quite a bit of interest" in health circles, because it was placing robust local statistics in front of officials.
It had been discussed with Ministry of Heath officials, but they didn't come with their chequebooks open.
"The overall picture is clear: there is a general lack of equality [between Wanganui and the rest of NZ]."
Wanganui's recent economic boom had been positive for the community, but big issues remained that money couldn't fix.
"Lots of risk factors are laid down deep in people's behaviour. Things like dieting, smoking, basic exercise and appropriate access to health services ? educating people about what's available is important," he said.
Dr O'Connor said the health board would lobby hard to have the population-based funding formula removed.
"Northland, Gisborne and Rotorua all have access funds for their populations where the government basically pays more and the patient pays less.
"We were next in line but didn't qualify," he said.
The reason for Wanganui's non-qualification was half the population had to meet certain criteria and Wanganui didn't.
Whanganui MP Chester Borrows said it was obvious the region's "unique" issues weren't being adequately addressed.
"Population-based funding doesn't work," he said. "It's something the health board, the council and I have been saying for some time."
While that funding was used in other district health boards, Wanganui's unique issues needed to be taken into account ? like the ratio of elderly, beneficiaries and unemployed, and ethnic make-up.
Mr Borrows wasn't surprised a region like Northland ? with high levels of poverty ? fared better than Wanganui in the life expectancy stakes, because it had benefited from ethnicity-based funding.
Mayor Michael Laws said the statistics were further proof that we have special health needs here and that the government was under-funding the region.
"These are appalling statistics and should worry health policy planners and civic leaders alike. That an area of deprivation like Northland has a higher life expectancy amazes me," Mr Laws said.
"It's the clearest signal yet to central government that Wanganui is not getting its fair share. It also highlights the need for our council to take the lobbying lead. We are perhaps better placed than the district health board to play that role."
The statistics would be referred to the next strategy committee meeting and some explanation would be sought as to why Wanganui people were dying earlier than other New Zealanders.
"If it was solely down to socio-economic factors, then other regions would be faring worse.
"I suspect that not having the resources to meet Wanganui's health needs is part of the answer, and that comes back to money," he said.