NZ Society of Naturopaths Comment on Health Targets

 

NZ Society of Naturopaths Media Release 8th May 2009
by Jaine Kirtley PR NZSN

 

Re. Fewer more focussed targets Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced a slimmed down set of Health Targets.

 

The new set of targets are : Shorter stays in emergency departments, Improved access to elective surgery, shorter waits for cancer treatment, Increased immunisation, Better help for smokers to quit, Better diabetes and cardiovascular services.

However the New Zealand Society of Naturopaths is very disappointed that the targets for improving nutrition , and increasing physical activity and reducing obesity have been dropped.

Naturopaths believe that nutrition and physical activity are important foundations for health, and are important in both prevention of and treatment of all illness.

The NZSN believes that to decrease diabetes and cardiovascular disease it is imperative to focus on better nutrition and greater physical activity.