43645 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

43645 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the last quarter (January to March 2024) toward the outcome ‘Enhanced data and information about the prevention and management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Aotearoa New Zealand’ under ‘Focus area three: Kōkiri Ngātahi System readiness and change’ within the Rheumatic Fever Roadmap?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that in the January to March 2024 quarter, the following progress was made across focus area three of the Rheumatic Action Roadmap: • Health NZ began work with the Ministry of Health to increase integration and coordination of the rheumatic fever prevention and management system. • The Public Health Agency (PHA) continued to work on enhancing available data and information about prevention and management of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in New Zealand. This included quantitative analysis using the IDI and health datasets to create a set of descriptive statistics. The PHA are also looking to develop a hub of public health statistics and evidence to enable an evidence-based approach in decision-making on matters related to health and housing.