Ministry dispenses $12m to publicise health issues

The Health Ministry will spend more than $12 million to assess and influence public opinion on health issues in the coming year.

Figures given to Parliament's health select committee yesterday provided a breakdown of the ministry's planned public awareness spending for 2004-05.

Among other things the cash will be used to remove the stigma of mental illness, promote flu and meningococcal disease vaccines, inform people of health board elections and changes to smoking laws.

Details include:

* $4 million for the "Like Minds Like Mine" mental health campaign, which includes advertising, health promotion and policy development.

* $2.7 million for a public information campaign for the new meningococcal B vaccine that has been developed and awaits regulatory approval.

* $1.3 million to promote the Government's primary health care strategy.

* $900,000 to publicise new legislation restricting smoking in bars and workplaces.

* $500,000 for district health board elections, to encourage the public to stand for election and vote.

- NZPA