“Don't Just Say it Matters”: Reducing the Inequalities in Cervical Screening in New Zealand

Abstract

“Don't Just SAY It Matters” is an ongoing three-phase program that addresses ethnicity-based health inequalities in New Zealand. It aims to increase cervical screening among New Zealand's Māori (indigenous Polynesian) and Pacific women by creating an understanding of the importance of screening and enhancing the service to support uptake. Funded by the New Zealand National Screening Unit, the program was launched in September 2007 and is ongoing until 2013. Phase One aimed to start conversations about cervical screening, Phase Two aimed to motivate women to be screened, and Phase Three has built on this work with the introduction of further interventions. By April 2010, screening coverage was Pacific women — 60.90%, a relative increase of 31.25%; Māori women — 55.40%, a relative increase of 16.63%; and all women — 76.10% a relative increase of 7.94% (National Screening Unit, 2010; absolute change is defined as the difference from a previous value to a new value).