A new report from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says the health of New Zealanders is declining. 

It showed working age people reporting excellent health almost halved between 2011 and 2024, while psychological distress had increased among all adults. 

The report called on the government to address and reverse the decline by investing in housing, poverty reduction, education, improved nutrition and physical activity, as well as a stronger commitment to addressing the impact of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. 

Hutt Hospital ED Specialist Dr Tanya Wilton told Kerre Woodham she sees people who have struggled to obtain adequate income, housing, and security, and it’s harder to eat and stay healthy when you don’t have the money to do so.  

She says you can’t get away from those social determinants of health in terms of those key areas. 

Tauranga-based Psychologist Mark Lawrence told Woodham that when it comes to psychological distress, the biggest challenge is a lack of extensive long-term investment to addressing societal stressors. 

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