Community, Maori
Chatham Islands provide excellent health promotion model
In a recent Health and Social Needs report prepared by Litmus Ltd for the Ministry of Health the Chatham Island community was described as having a strong sense of whānau connection, resilience and nurturing (Smith et al, 2013). Our Deputy Executive Director, Trevor Simpson recently had the opportunity to witness these strengths for himself, when he visited Chatham Island in late March to present a series of workshops.
Some great work being done by the Ha o Te Ora o Wharekauri Trust- Māori Community Services (MCS) on Chatham Island is a great example of a “wrap-around” health promotion service in action within a small community. It was encouraging to see the important role played by health promotion in an integrated approach to health and wellbeing on the Island.
Established to improve the health status of Māori, MCS’ three areas of focus are:
- Whānau Ora- Māori Community Health Service
- Whānau Ora Mobile Service
- Community Health Promotion
- general health
- education and promotion
- advisory services
- liaison and coordination.
- health education,
- health assessments,
- children under 5 checks
- smokefree cessation and other smokefree activities
- health and social service referrals
- a transport service
- breastfeeding advice
- family violence, alcohol, drugs and problem gambling services.
- Encouraging personal management of diet and nutrition
- community gardening
- a fruit tree planting programme
- education on preserving kai
- a traditional kai gathering programme
- a Rongoa project
- smoking cessation services
- an after school programme.