133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
8 February 2022
Michael Howell
By email: [FYI request #17485 email]
Ref: H202115658
Tēnā koe Michael
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the Ministry of
Health (the Ministry) on 8 November 2021 for information regarding heart disease in New
Zealand Please find a response to each part of your request below:
What are the yearly total number of deaths from Heart disease in New Zealand from 2000
- 2020?
What are the yearly total number of deaths by ethnicity from Heart disease in New
Zealand from 2000 - 2020?
Mortality data can be found online on the Ministry of Health Mortality data web tool at:
www.health.govt.nz/publication/mortality-web-tool.
The particular data you are looking for can be found under the ‘ICD chapter and subgroup
(2015-2019)’ tab, and then by selecting ICD Subgroup ‘I20-I25 Ischaemic heart diseases’. There
is also the option to add ethnicity to the data.
What is the yearly total cost-of-illness for Heart Disease in New Zealand between 2000 -
2020?
The Ministry does not hold this information. It is challenging to unbundle the costs of heart
disease from other conditions, as often those with heart disease also have other conditions that
are treated at the same time.
No specific work has been undertaken by the Ministry to cost the specific health spend of heart
disease in recent years. Please find below a link to the
Report on New Zealand Cost-of-Illness
Studies on Long-Term Conditions (2009). This report contains research detailing the estimated
cost of heart disease in 1992 and is published on the Ministry’s website
her
e:www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/nz-cost-of-illness-jul09.doc.
How much money has been invested into preventing Heart Disease in New Zealand
between 2000 - 2020?
The Ministry is not able to provide the requested information.
It is not possible to determine the specific investment the Ministry has made in heart disease
prevention. It is difficult to isolate the costs of identification and management from prevention
related costs, as these activities are often not clearly separated. In addition, medications to
control elevated blood pressure and other risk factors could also be seen as preventing heart
disease, as could awareness campaigns to modify lifestyle factors, and smoking cessation
activities.
What are the yearly total percentages of Statin use in the adult population of New Zealand
between 2000 - 2020?
What are the total yearly costs of Statin use in New Zealand between 2000 - 2020?
The data you have requested in these parts of your request is attached to this letter as
“Document 1”
.
How many NZ Health Advertising educational campaigns have been conducted from 2000
- 2020 around the topic of Reversing and Preventing Heart Disease?
The Ministry does not hold this information. Numerous agencies and organisations provide
educational campaigns that are not affiliated with the Ministry.
Historically, the Ministry has contributed to campaigns delivered by NGOs that have educated
the public on how to recognise the symptoms of a heart attack and what to do if someone is
having a suspected heart attack.
What goals or targets have the MOH set in place for reducing the number of deaths from
Heart Disease?
The Ministry does not have specific targets around reducing the numbers of deaths from heart
disease. However, we do have a number of performance measures in place that track how the
health system is delivering key heart health related services and interventions. These
performance measures identify whether DHBs are providing equitable services that impact the
health outcomes of patients.
What is the total funding allocated toward researching prevention and reversal of Heart
Disease in New Zealand between 2000 - 2020?
The Ministry does not hold this information. Researching prevention and reversal of heart
disease is not the core business of the Ministry.
You may wish to enquire with the Heart Foundation and the Health Research Council about
work they have done in this field.
Can you please give evidence the MOH have provided the New Zealand public access to
studies relating to the Reversal of Heart Disease through Wholefood Plant-based
nutrition?
The Ministry of Health provides evidence-based population advice on healthy eating and being
physically active in the Eating and Activity Guidelines for New Zealand Adults. You can find this
here:
https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/eating-and-activity-guidelines-new-zealand-adults.
The Ministry does not provide access to individual studies relating to a health issue
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What is the current dietary advice provided by MOH for health education in Primary
School, Intermediate School and High School levels?”
The Ministry does not provide any dietary advice for health education in schools. Education is
the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. You may wish to reach out to them to seek an
answer to this part of your request.
I trust this fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act you have the right to ask the
Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases. Nāku noa, nā
Deborah Woodley
Deputy Director-General
Population Health and Prevention
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