BY
Dr Cheryl Buhay
Activating health equity
• 2 min read
Equity in health:
Building a healthier, happier Aotearoa
In Aotearoa New Zealand, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life. But for many whānau, that journey is harder than it should be. This can be due to factors such as
- Income (where families with lower incomes may struggle to afford care).
- Location (where some areas lack specialists or even basic healthcare services).
- Access to technology (not everyone has internet or devices for telehealth).
- Cultural and language barriers (which can make it harder to understand or trust the healthcare system).
Health equity means making sure every person—no matter their background, income, or location—has the support they need to stay mentally and physically well, live independently, and stay connected to their communities. It isn’t about treating everyone the same—it’s about giving everyone a fair shot.
So what’s being done in Aotearoa?
- Community-based care is expanding, bringing services closer to home.
- Digital health tools are helping rural and remote communities access support. Initiatives such as Zero Data allows free access to useful websites even if you have no data on your mobile phone.
- Campaigns like “SEE US” are raising awareness about diagnostic overshadowing—when physical health issues are overlooked in people with mental health conditions
Here's what you can adopt, adapt and activate in your practice
At Pathways and Real we strive for the people we support to have the best physical and mental health possible through campaigns, such as Heart Health Month and Men’s Health Week, to help raise awareness, encourage proactive screening, and working alongside them, their whānau, health care providers and other services to ensure there is connected care. Our kaimahi help remove barriers so that the people we support can live full and meaningful lives.
Support families and Whānau to wade in
- Stay connected: Check in on neighbours, friends, and whānau. A simple kōrero can make a big difference.
- Encourage healthy habits: Exercise, movement and healthy nutrition and screen-free time support both physical and mental health.
- Use available resources: Communities may offer free or low-cost clinics, translation services, and telehealth options.
- Ask questions and speak up: Don’t be afraid to speak up about your needs or concerns. If services aren’t meeting your needs, share your experience. Your voice can help shape better care for everyone.
I'd encourage you to get activate to support health equity, if any of the above strikes a chord , please consider adopting it, adapting it and activating it .
It will make a difference
You can also find this this piece published in the upcoming early August edition of Harikoa, the family/whanau magazine for Pathways and Real, https://www.pathways.co.nz/support/harikoa-magazine
