The government did a good job in reducing the percentage of daily smokers, they have increased the tax of 40 percent in 2013 and had continuous three 20 percent increase in 2014 to 2016 (Parliament New Zealand, 2016). And they should continue to set high tax rates to discourage people from smoking, especially the younger generation. Another is to make sure that there are no cigarettes to be sold low-cost in the black market. Lastly, TV, social media and press advertisements must be prohibited, so as having posters in the stores or groceries to avoid eye-catchy displays. The continuity of these programs and proposals may reduce illness, mortality and admissions to hospital, and the exposure of second-hand smoke (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015).
Women’s Health: Cervical Cancer Screening Program
Reducing the incidence and impact of cancer is one of the thirteen health objectives of the Ministry of Health. Also, faster cancer treatment is one of the six health targets, for quick investigation, diagnosis and cure to improve the quality of life and make the cancer patient’s life easier (MOH, 2015)
The Cervical Cancer Screening Programme is in the platform of the National Screening Unit (NSU), inside the National Health Board, under the umbrella and is funded by the Ministry of Health New Zealand (NSU, 2016). The said programme was established in 1990 to decrease the number of women who develop and die from cervical cancer. …show more content…
Though all of the programmes of the government on obesity, physical activities and nutrition, the advent of fast foods, junk foods, and colas contributes to an unhealthy nutrition of an individual. Having a sedentary lifestyle also adds to obesity (CDC, 2015). It is difficult for the government to eradicate these unhealthy choices of the people, but they are doing a great job since in the recent survey of the MOH on GRx, of 3000 respondents, 72 percent noticed changes positively in their health. Also, Maori group participated in this survey, showing an increase of those who joined GRx last year. Around 56 percent of last year joined the programme, and 67 percent for this year (O’Niell, 2015). This shows an excellent job of the MOH with this programme. Having GRx makes way on the benefits of prevention of Diabetes and reducing the incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases (MOH, 2012). This programme is cost-effective and shows no adverse effects, as long as it is done regularly (MOH, 2014). The government should urge more of the population by having additional programmes, focus on the younger generation and be in contact more of the people. With this, sports, recreation, and adequate to brisk exercise will be a great help, instead of staying at home, in the computer or in front of the