Our improving health

The annual NZ Health Survey was published this month. It is interesting to compare results with 2006/07. These include:

• Over 75s who say they are in good or better health up from 80% to 87%
• Smoking rate down from 20% to 17%
• Under 18 smoking rate down from 16% to 8%
• Hazardous drinking rate down from 18% to 16%
• Under 18 hazardous drinking rate down from 20% to 14%
• 18 – 24 year old hazadrous drinking rate down from 43% to 33%
• Under 18 drinking rate down from 75% to 59%