Tongan-led solutions needed to overcome barriers to bowel cancer screening

Testing kit

17 Oct 2024

NZ Herald

The National Bowel Screening Programme is failing to deliver screening equitably to Pacific New Zealanders, but there are ways to improve it, research led by the University of Otago, Wellington has found.

The researchers held two talanoa focus groups in 2021, asking Tongan-born New Zealanders over 60 how the programme could be made more effective and equitable. They also talked to four Pacific experts working for the screening programme.

Bowel screening is available to Māori and Pacific people from the age of 50 to 74. A higher proportion of bowel cancer occurs in Māori and Pacific people before they reach 60 (approximately 21% compared to 10% for non-Māori non-Pacific peoples).

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Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.