Dementia: continuation of health and ethnic inequalities in New Zealand

Dementia has been framed and seen as a condition associated with ageing and in particular with advanced age, especially amongst those over 80 years of age. For Maori and Pacific peoples in New Zealand dementia is not necessarily associated with age but is directly related to our respective histories within this country, patterns of migration and the socioeconomic determinants of health for both populations from different tribes and nations. Issues are discussed in relation to Maori and Pacific development and the importance of prevention and early detection of chronic health conditions. Whanau Ora is proposed as a developing indigenous and Pacific model with one of its purposes being is to support individuals and families involved in the management of one or more of the chronic health conditions, that may lead onto dementia as part of the end of life process. This paper proposes that the needs of Maori and Pacific, especially, in the Tamaki Makaurau area (Auckland region) must be included in the planning and decision making of policy and services related to dementia. The health and social inequalities of these populations during life and across generations also need to be considered in planning to prevent dementia from occurring early or in midlife.