Growing up in New Zealand Study

Dr Susan Morton talks about the Growing Up in New Zealand study, what we have learned so far and how we should be using this knowledge to reduce inequity and optimise care in New Zealand general practices. Susan is a public health physician specialising in life-course epidemiology and works at the University of Auckland. She is the director and principle investigator for the Growing Up in New Zealand Study.

Topics

What is the Growing Up in New Zealand study all about?
What have you learned about children, their families and the way they engage with primary care?
Tracking breastfeeding rates.
Following children since before birth: antenatal discoveries.
The first thousand days of a child’s life: family, neighbourhood and physical environment.
Linking Growing Up in New Zealand to other health data: antibiotic dispensing.
Promoting healthy child development in primary care.
Parent's hopes and dreams for healthy, happy children.
Future of this longitudinal study.

Take home messages

Parents view health professionals as important trusted people and value the advice given.
Health, home environment and family relationships in the early years are critically important.
Be an advocate and a navigator through that first thousand days.
Consider how our practices engage with mobile families.