Who are Pacific peoples in terms of ethnicity and country of birth? A cross sectional study of 2,238,039 adults in Aotearoa New Zealand's Integrated Data Infrastructure.

Background: The aggregation of Indigenous peoples from Pacific Island nations as 'Pacific peoples' in literature may mask diversity in the health needs of these different groups. The aim of this study was to examine the heterogeneity of Pacific groups according to ethnicity and country of birth. Methods: Anonymised individual-level linkage of administrative data identified all NZ residents aged 30-74 years on 31 March 2013 with known ethnicity and country of birth. All participants were described according to ethnicity and country of birth. Pacific participants were also described according to the number of ethnicities they identified. Findings: A total of 2,238,039 NZ residents were included, of whom 117,957 (5·0%) were Pacific. Nearly two-thirds of Pacific peoples (65·7%) were born overseas, ranging from 45·3% (Cook Islands Maori) to 82·7% (Fijian) (Maori 2·3%, non-Maori non-Pacific 28·9%). Among NZ-born Pacific peoples, 46·9% (Samoan) to 81·9% (Fijian) were multi-ethnic; the proportion was much lower for overseas-born Pacific peoples (ranging from 3·7% [Tongan] to 23·9% [Tokelauan]). Interpretation: There is substantial heterogeneity among Pacific peoples in their country of birth and identification with sole or multiple ethnicities. Assumptions regarding homogeneity in the needs of Pacific peoples are not appropriate and government statistics should therefore disaggregate Pacific peoples whenever possible. Funding: Supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and a part of Manawataki Fatu Fatu, a programme of research funded by the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand and Healthier Lives - He Oranga Hauora - National Science Challenge of New Zealand.

What are the gaps in cardiovascular risk assessment and management in primary care for Maori and Pacific people in Aotearoa New Zealand? Protocol for a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: In New Zealand, significant inequities exist between Maori and Pacific peoples compared with non-Maori, non-Pacific peoples in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, hospitalisations and management rates. This review will quantify and qualify already-reported gaps in CVD risk assessment and management in primary care for Maori and Pacific peoples compared with non-Maori/non-Pacific peoples in New Zealand. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a systematic search of the following electronic databases and websites from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2021: MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, NZresearch.org, National Library Catalogue (Te Puna), Index New Zealand (INNZ), Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre. In addition, we will search relevant websites such as the Ministry of Health and research organisations. Data sources will include published peer reviewed articles, reports and theses employing qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods.Two reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts of the citations and grade each as eligible, not eligible or might be eligible. Two reviewers will read each full report, with one medically qualified reviewer reading all reports and two other reviewers reading half each. The final list of included citations will be compiled from the results of the full report reading and agreed on by three reviewers. Data abstracted will include authors, title, year, study characteristics and participant characteristics. Data analysis and interpretation will involve critical inquiry and a strength-based approach that is inclusive of Maori and Pacific values. This means that critical appraisal includes an assessment of quality from an Indigenous perspective. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with stakeholders. This review contributes to a larger project which creates a Quality-Improvement Equity Roadmap to reduce barriers to Maori and Pacific peoples accessing evidence-based CVD care.

Cardiovascular disease and its management among Pacific people: a systematic review by ethnicity and place of birth.

BACKGROUND: Pacific people experience a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), whether they remain in their country of origin or migrate to higher-income countries, such as Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand or the United States of America. We sought to determine whether the CVD health needs of Pacific people vary according to their ethnicity or place of birth. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of medical research databases and grey literature to identify relevant data published up to 2020. Texts were included if they contained original data stratified by Pacific-specific ethnicity or place of birth on the burden or management of CVD, and were assessed as having good quality using a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tool. The protocol for this review was registered with the Open Science Forum ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/X7NR6 ). RESULTS: Of 3679 texts identified, 310 full texts were reviewed and the quality of 23 of these assessed, using the pre-defined search strategy. Six items (four reports, one article, one webpage) of good quality met the review eligibility criteria. All included texts provided data on epidemiology but only one reported on the management of CVD. Four texts were of Pacific populations in Pacific Island countries and two were of Pacific diaspora in other countries. Data from the Global Burden of Disease study, which provided estimates for the greatest number of Pacific countries, showed substantial differences in mortality rates between Pacific countries for every CVD type. For example, the mortality rate per 100,000 for ischemic heart disease (IHD) ranged from 103.41 in the Cook Islands to 430.35 in the Solomon Islands. A New Zealand-based report showed differences in CVD rates by Pacific ethnicity (e.g. the age-standardised prevalence of IHD per 1,000 population in Auckland ranged from 107.8 (Niuean) to 138 among Cook Islands Maori (p < 0.001)). CONCLUSIONS: This review of published studies reveals that the epidemiology of CVD among Pacific people varies by specific ethnic groups, place of birth, and country of residence. There is a critical need for high-quality contemporary ethnic-specific Pacific data to respond to the diverse CVD health needs in these underrepresented groups.

Ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk profiles among 475,241 adults in primary care in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

AIM: In Aotearoa, New Zealand, cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden is greatest among Indigenous Maori, Pacific and Indian people. The aim of this study was to describe CVD risk profiles by ethnicity. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of people aged 35-74 years who had a CVD risk assessment in primary care between 2004 and 2016. Primary care data were supplemented with linked data from regional/national databases. Comparisons between ethnic groups were made using age-adjusted summaries of continuous or categorical data. RESULTS: 475,241 people (43% women) were included. Fourteen percent were Maori, 13% Pacific, 8% Indian, 10% Other Asian and 55% European. Maori and Pacific people had a much higher prevalence of smoking, obesity, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and prior CVD compared with other ethnic groups. Pacific and Indian peoples, and to a lesser extent Maori and Other Asian people, had markedly elevated diabetes prevalence compared with Europeans. Indian men had the highest prevalence of prior coronary heart disease. CONCLUSIONS: Maori and Pacific people experience the most significant inequities in exposure to CVD risk factors compared with other ethnic groups. Indians have a high prevalence of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Strong political commitment and cross-sectoral action to implement effective interventions are urgently needed.