Obese island pot-smokers are happy with their lot

One in four Chatham and Pitt Islanders are obese, more than one-third smoke cigarettes and inhabitants are more likely to use marijuana than other New Zealanders, the first major health study of the island has found.

The Ministry of Health yesterday released details of its 2002-2003 survey for the Chatham and Pitt Islands, which compares adult health with that of the total New Zealand population.

Chatham and Pitt Islanders also had a higher percentage of potentially hazardous drinking patterns than the general New Zealand population, the study found.

On a more positive note, islanders were more active than New Zealanders in general, more had consulted medical specialists, fewer had used public hospitals and females were more likely to have received preventive health care services such as mammography and cervical screening.

More than 80 per cent of the 400 adults over the age of 15 surveyed believed the availability of a quality health professional was fairly good or very good, and 90 per cent had a regular practitioner or service.

Islanders identified their biggest health service needs as updated hospital equipment, better-trained staff and a faster air ambulance service. They also wanted more regular and more frequent visits by specialists.

Nine in 10 islanders rated their health as good, very good or excellent and, on average, island males reported better mental health. Islanders considered dental and physiotherapy to be the services most lacking.

The Chathams consist of 10 islands 800km east of New Zealand and has a population of 717.

In the 2001 census 58.8 per cent identified as Maori compared with 14.7 per cent of the total New Zealand population. Islanders are also more youthful than the rest of New Zealand, with just 5.8 per cent over the age of 65 compared with 12.1 per cent.

Four hundred islanders took part in the survey.

Health Minister Annette King believed the report would be a useful tool in helping to plan and manage health services on the islands.

- NZPA