New research will look at why Māori, Pasifika and people living in areas of high deprivation are more likely to die from a major heart event.
Auckland University's Dr Corina Grey is a part of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics section has been awarded a $90,000 Research Fellowship from the Heart Foundation to look at why these groups are most affected.
The fellowship is a part of $1.7 million in new research and training grants announced by the Heart Foundation.
Dr Grey says, “The aim of my research is to investigate in more detail where and why these inequalities arise. Knowledge of where inequalities occur will then enable us to develop targeted strategies and interventions to improve care for all New Zealanders.”
She also adds that it is not known exactly where the inconsistencies are- such as whether it is in the time it takes to get to hospital, who gets heart surgery, who gets referred for cardiac rehabilitation or who experiences complications following the heart event.
The ANZACS-QI research programme which gives detailed information about all patients admitted to hospital with a heart attack or unstable angina,will assist her in her research.
“Through the ANZACS-QI programme, we will have access to in-depth information about the pre-hospital delay, in-hospital management, availability of cardiac rehabilitation and long-term medical management of all patients admitted to hospital in New Zealand with a heart attack,” she states.
Dr Grey highly acknowledges the help from the Heart Foundation and says that the charity's support is "extremely important in enabling this kind of research."
The Heart Foundation is New Zealand's leading independent funder of heart research, and has invested more than $55 million into research and cardiology training since 1970.