The significance of socially-assigned ethnicity for self-identified Māori accessing and engaging with primary healthcare in New Zealand

• DOI: 10.1177/1363459315568918
• Publication Date: 2015-02-03T05:28:14Z
• Authors: Jennifer Reid; Donna Cormack; Marie Crowe
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Cultural Characteristics; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; Primary Health Care; Middle Aged; Health Services Accessibility; White People; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Discrimination, Psychological; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female; Healthcare Disparities; 10. No inequality; Qualitative Research; New Zealand

Despite increased focus in New Zealand on reducing health inequities between Māori and European ethnic groups, research barriers facilitators to primary healthcare access for remains limited. In particular, there has been little interrogation of the significance social-assignment ethnicity relation engagement with predominantly non-Māori services providers. A qualitative study was undertaken a subsample (n = 40) broader Hauora Manawa Study examine experiences accessing engaging among adult urban Māori. Thematic analysis in-depth interviews identified that participants perceived as an efficacious form capital when interacting professionals. Skin colour 'white' or identify belonging 'dominant' group reported broadly advantageous protective. contrast, seen be associated risk exposure differential discriminatory healthcare. Reducing negative impacts racialisation (neo)colonial society where 'White' cultural dominates requires recognition health-protective advantages privilege concomitant risks socially-assigned categorisation non-'White'.