81070 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

81070 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter July to September 2024 to ‘Enable equitable participation for existing national cancer screening programmes through targeted investment for priority populations’ under Outcome 4: New Zealanders have better cancer survival, supportive care and end-of-life care, as part of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019 – 2029?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that progress made during the July to September 2024 quarter included: • Continuation of funding to several Māori-led organisations to drive community-based initiatives to increase access to the breast screening programme for priority populations. • The Community Invitation campaign continued, which encourages participants to attend a range of face-to-face events where bowel screening kits are handed out. • Targeted investment allowed zero-fees cervical screening to be offered to high-risk groups based on the greatest clinical and health need. • Two tailored cervical screening media campaigns continued. • Cervical Screening Awareness Month in September saw 39 Cervical Screening Awareness events and Pacific and Māori community activations held across the country