Pacific women in NZ call for improved cancer education and more culturally responsive healthcare
New research from the University of Otago reveals a significant lack of awareness regarding gynaecological cancers among Pacific women in New Zealand. Experts are calling for improved health education and more culturally responsive care to address the disproportionate burden of disease in these communities.
Why it matters
Addressing health literacy gaps is critical for reducing ethnic health disparities and improving early detection rates for life-threatening conditions.
Pacific women are calling for better cancer education and more culturally responsive healthcare, with new research finding major gaps in awareness of gynaecological cancers.
This is despite Pacific communities carrying a disproportionate burden of the disease.
The University of Otago study surveyed 94 Pacific women from across Aotearoa, to better understand their knowledge of women's cancers and what they see as priorities for future cancer care and research.
University of Otago Associate Professor Gabi Dachs
Senior author Professor Gabi Dachs said findings showed a need for better health education.
"We wanted to understand the knowledge base that Pasifika women have about women's cancers, so gynaecological cancers," Prof Dachs said.
"We know from very robust statistics that Pacific women carry a large burden of cancers, specifically gynaecological cancers, compared to other ethnicities in New Zealand."
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