Trends in amenable mortality in New Zealand 1968-1987

Trends in amenable mortality rates for Maori and non-Maori New Zealanders were analysed and compared using regression models. The contribution of medical services to the decline in mortality rates was estimated. Mortality from causes amenable to medical intervention declined at a greater rate than non-amenable mortality for both groups. The proportion of the decline in mortality attributable to improvement in the impact of medical services was greater for non-Maori than for Maori, especially for females. Maori to non-Maori mortality ratios were greater for amenable than for non-amenable causes, indicating a systematic differential between the two groups in the impact of medical services. There was only a small improvement over the 20 years in the excess of amenable mortality suffered by Maori. The results have implications for the provision of medical services to Maori people.