Asian health trends in New Zealand from 2002 to 2021, and the case for dedicated research funding.

Abstract

The proportion of the Aotearoa New Zealand population with Asian ancestry is growing, from 17% in the 2023 census to an expected 26% by 2043. Thus, the health of the Asian community in New Zealand is increasing in importance. We have recently completed a major report on the health status of Asian people living in New Zealand since 2002 using data from the New Zealand Health Survey. While there have been some improvements, levels of most risk factors-such as fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, alcohol intake and obesity-have worsened or not improved over the last 20 years. These have resulted in elevated risk of cardiometabolic disease, particularly among South Asians, at levels similar to those for Māori and Pacific. We have reviewed the funding of Asian health research by the Health Research Council of New Zealand since 2010 by searching the lay summaries of grants. We have found a mismatch between the number of funded grants and the size of the Asian population in New Zealand (respectively, 2.3% and 17% in 2023). The Health Research Council needs to ring-fence funding for Asian researchers so that Asian researchers have increased resources to research the major health issues that are adversely affecting their communities.