Canterbury wellbeing indicators continue upward trend
Canterbury District Health Board media release: 28th November 2018
Quality of life continues to improve for greater Christchurch residents, according to the latest wellbeing indicators.
The Canterbury Wellbeing Index was released today by Canterbury District Health Board. The Index uses data from many different local and national agencies, as well the Canterbury Wellbeing Survey, to bring together information about wellbeing in Christchurch City, Selwyn District and Waimakariri District.
Chair of the greater Christchurch Psychosocial Governance Group Evon Currie, says wellbeing in greater Christchurch has continued its upward trend post-quake.
“Overall, the wellbeing of our community is in the best shape it has been since the earthquakes. Eight in ten greater Christchurch residents rate their quality of life positively, stress levels continue to fall, and the WHO-5 wellbeing scale is at its highest level since it was first measured in 2013,” says Mrs Currie.
Mrs Currie says the Index indicates that the economic stimulus resulting from the quakes is diminishing.
“Following the earthquakes incomes in Canterbury rose at a much higher rate than the national level, while unemployment fell to historically low levels. Eight years on from the first quakes, both of these measures are trending back towards national rates.”
As well as being informed by data from 15 agencies, various Statistics New Zealand surveys, and Census data, the Canterbury Wellbeing Index also includes data from the Canterbury Wellbeing Survey.
Mrs Currie says that while wellbeing is improving for many, there are several groups within our community who continue to experience lower wellbeing. These groups include Māori, those on low incomes, and those with a disability or chronic health condition.
“Being able to live the type of life you value shouldn’t be the preserve of the wealthy or healthy. We need to do more to ensure that no one is left behind. That should be the ultimate measure of a successful community.”
Evon Currie says that a question on loneliness was included in this year’s Survey for the first time.
“It’s no surprise that people who are lonely also experience lower levels of wellbeing. What was surprising was the degree of loneliness experienced by young Cantabrians. Nearly 15 percent of 18 to 24 year olds feel lonely or isolated always or most of the time, compared with 3 percent of those over 65.”
“I’m interested in digging deeper into the issue of loneliness to determine whether government agencies and our communities need to be playing more of a role in encouraging connections and a sense of belonging, especially for our young people.”
The Canterbury Wellbeing Index contains 56 indicators across a diverse range of domains including education, housing, health and jobs, and includes a separate section focusing on 19 Māori wellbeing indicators. The Index enables users to extract the information they are interested in.
Evon Currie is encouraging local decision makers to explore the data and use it to positively influence the wellbeing of the local population.
Visit the new Canterbury Wellbeing Index website.
Find out more about the 2018 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey.