The latest Southern Cross Healthy Futures report reveals emerging health and wellbeing concerns held by New Zealanders.
Southern Cross research partner Kantar has spoken with more than 7,000 New Zealanders since 2019 to inform the biennial survey, which shines a light on the health and wellbeing of people across the country.
Concerns about physical health were evident with Dr Erica Whineray Kelly, Chief Medical Officer of Southern Cross Healthcare, saying having access to cancer services was worrying more New Zealanders this year, although recent Government decisions to fund more medications may see this shift over time.
“More than 80% of New Zealanders are now concerned about this access – a figure that’s up six percent from the 2022 report,” says Dr Kelly.
“When you consider that around 25,000 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer every year, many of us will either experience it directly or will have whānau or friends going through it.”
“Early detection does save lives…Private and public providers are already working collaboratively where they can, but the system is under pressure.”