KEY POINTS:
The Ministry of Health has released a map of New Zealand which shows where in the country is best and worst off.
Called the Atlas of Socioeconomic Deprivation in New Zealand, the map is divided into the 21 district health board areas.
Areas are marked in colours corresponding to five different levels of wealth, ranging from "least deprived" to "most deprived".
The ratings are based on 2006 census data, using income, home ownership, family support, employment, qualifications and transport to measure deprivation.
Ministry deputy director-general, health and disability systems strategy Deborah Roche said the atlas updated two editions released in 2000 and 2004, and was based on Statistics New Zealand's index of socioeconomic deprivation.
The index was used to monitor inequalities across a range of health indicators, including hospitalisations and mortality.
It was also widely used to assess DHB funding.
In research, the index was a tool to determine the relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes.
Tobacco smoking, for example, was known to be strongly related to deprivation, Ms Roche said.
Research has also shown a correlation between incidence rates of cervical cancer and socioeconomic deprivation.
The atlas was available on the ministry's website.
Ms Roche said the ministry was committed to reducing health inequalities and the atlas would assist with this.
- NZPA
