KEY POINTS:
Death rates between ethnic groups and the rich and poor in New Zealand are no longer widening, an Otago University study reports.
In some cases, researchers found the gaps were closing - in contrast to the 1980s and 1990s, when they were found to be widening.
Otago University professor Tony Blakely, a researcher on the project, said the plateau in health disparities, and possible turnaround, was important if it could be kept up.
"However, the gaps in death rates - especially the two- to three-fold high death rates for Maori compared to European/Other - remain unacceptably high."
The study, funded by the Health Ministry, focused on deaths that occurred between 1981 and 2004.
Professor Blakely said it seemed likely that widening social gaps during the 1980s and 1990s, including income and unemployment differences between the ethnic groups, were at least partly responsible for the widening health inequalities.
Falling rates of heart disease-related death had affected the figures, although cancer was killing more people than before, he said.
Health Minister Pete Hodgson said he welcomed the report as a milestone.
"The Labour-led Government's vision is for a society where no New Zealanders have their long-term health predetermined by their ethnicity or the size of their bank account," said Mr Hodgson.
"The research shows us that we have a lot of work to do before that vision is fulfilled.
"In particular, all New Zealanders should be ashamed that Maori life expectancy is still lower than European New Zealanders."
Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan said his department was working closely with the four district health boards that had the largest health inequalities - Northland, Lakes, Wanganui and Tairawhiti - to ensure a focus on reducing health inequalities.
It would be important to continue monitoring health inequality trends over time, especially as it looked as if a turning point may have been reached, said Mr McKernan.
Living Longer
* Death rates for 1 to 74-year-olds from all ethnic groups fell. Maori: males down 25 per cent, females down 22 per cent.
* Pacific: males down 14 per cent, females down 10 per cent.
* European/others: males down 42 per cent, females down 35 per cent.
- NZPA
