A validation of placental pathology reports by ethnicity in New Zealand, through systematic analysis of histological slides.

Introduction: Reliability studies of placental examination have shown differing interobserver agreement for certain pathological features, a lack of uniform reporting criteria and variable experience among pathologists. In previous analyses we have shown that placental pathology differs by ethnicity. This validation study was performed to investigate whether bias related to ethnicity is a feature of placental pathology reporting in New Zealand (NZ).

An in-depth analysis of perinatal related mortality among women of South Asian ethnicity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Background: International and national New Zealand (NZ) research has identified women of South Asian ethnicity at increased risk of perinatal mortality, in particular stillbirth, with calls for increased perinatal research among this ethnic group. We aimed to analyse differences in pregnancy outcomes and associated risk factors between South Asian, Māori, Pacific and NZ European women in Aotearoa NZ, with a focus on women of South Asian ethnicity, to ultimately understand the distinctive pathways leading to adverse events.

Methods: Clinical data from perinatal deaths between 2008 and 2017 were provided by the NZ Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, while national maternity and neonatal data, and singleton birth records from the same decade, were linked using the Statistics NZ Integrated Data Infrastructure for all births.

Between reproductive rights and sex selection in New Zealand's abortion reforms: practitioner dilemma in institutionalising 'choice' and 'agency'.

In 2020, the New Zealand (NZ) Parliament voted to decriminalise abortion. Although NZ's abortion law formally opposes sex selective abortions, there is considerable complexity in the gender politics of 'choice' and 'agency' in multi-ethnic societies, and interpretations of reproductive rights for ethnic minority women and for the girl child, respectively. This paper explores these complexities through the perspectives of reproductive and maternity care practitioners who are situated at the interface of legal systems, health service provision, and delivery of culturally sensitive care.

An intersectional approach to exploring lived realities and harnessing the creativity of ethnic minority youth for health gains: protocol for a multiphase mixed method study.

Background: Understanding the diversity and multiplicity of identities experienced by youth in Aotearoa (Te reo Māori name of the country) New Zealand (NZ) is vital to promoting their wellbeing. Ethnic minority youth (EMY) in NZ (defined as those identifying with Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and African ethnic origins) have been historically under-studied and under-counted, despite reporting high levels of discrimination, a major determinant of mental health and wellbeing and potentially a proxy for other inequities. In this paper, we describe the protocol for a multi-year study that examines, using an intersectional approach, how multiple marginalised identities impact mental and emotional wellbeing of EMY.

Placental pathology findings in perinatal deaths from 28 weeks gestation in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Introduction: Women of South Asian ethnicity are overrepresented in adverse pregnancy outcome across high-income countries, including those related to placental dysfunction. It has been hypothesised that placental aging occurs at earlier gestation in South Asian pregnancies. We aimed to identify differences in placental pathology among perinatal deaths ≥28 weeks gestation, between South Asian, Māori and New Zealand (NZ) European women in Aotearoa NZ, with a focus on women of South Asian ethnicity.

Placental pathology findings amongst extremely preterm perinatal deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Introduction: Women of South Asian ethnicity are overrepresented in adverse pregnancy outcomes across high-income countries, including placental dysfunction and antepartum haemorrhage. As the burden of mortality is highest for extremely preterm infants, we aimed to identify any differences in placental pathology among perinatal deaths from 20 to 27 weeks gestation between South Asian, Māori and New Zealand (NZ) European women in Aotearoa NZ, with a focus on women of South Asian ethnicity.

Methods: Placental pathology reports and clinical data from perinatal deaths between 2008 and 2017 were provided by the NZ Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee, blinded and analysed by an experienced perinatal pathologist using the Amsterdam Placental Workshop Group Consensus Statement criteria.

Grouping women of South Asian ethnicity for pregnancy research in New Zealand.

Background: The New Zealand (NZ) Ministry of Health ethnicity data protocols recommend that people of South Asian (SAsian) ethnicity, other than Indian, are combined with people of Japanese and Korean ethnicity at the most commonly used level of aggregation in health research (level two). This may not work well for perinatal studies, as it has long been observed that women of Indian ethnicity have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as perinatal death. It is possible that women of other SAsian ethnicities share this risk.

Flexible resources and experiences of racism among a multi-ethnic adolescent population in Aotearoa, New Zealand: an intersectional analysis of health and socioeconomic inequities using survey data.

Background: As societies become increasingly diverse, understanding the complex nature of racism for multiple ethnic, social, and economic identities of minority youth is required. Here we explore the experience of racism between and among privileged majority adolescent groups and targeted minority (Indigenous and ethnic) adolescents in New Zealand. Using the concept of structural and embodiment flexible resources, which act as risk and protective factors, we examine the social and health effects on minority youth.

'Ecological determinants' of health in the global south: practising sustainable consumption in Kerala, India.

Health promotion has long recognized the ecological determinants of health, underscoring the interconnections between planetary health, economic systems and human health. Despite calls for synergy across them, these domains are governed by fundamentally divergent paradigms leading to unaddressed conceptual and institutional gaps. Sustainability, meanwhile, is reduced to personal responsibility and behaviour change.

Sex ratios and 'missing women' among Asian minority and migrant populations in Aotearoa/New Zealand: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Objectives: Recent research from the UK, USA, Australia and Canada point to male-favouring sex ratios at birth (SRB) among their Asian minority populations, attributed to son preference and sex-selective abortion within these cultural groups. The present study conducts a similar investigation of SRBs among New Zealand's Asian minority and migrant populations, who comprise 15% of the population.

Setting And Participants: The study focused on Asian populations of New Zealand and comparisons were made with NZ European, Māori, Pacific Island and Middle-Eastern, Latin American and African groups.

A decade of Asian and ethnic minority health research in New Zealand: findings from a scoping review.

Background: Despite the increasing proportion of Asian and MELAA (Middle Eastern, Latin American and African) population groups in Aotearoa New Zealand (collectively referred here as A/EM), research on their health and wellbeing is still nascent. To improve our understanding of health and wellbeing of A/EM groups, including future research needs, a review and synthesis of existing A/EM research in New Zealand is timely.

Aim: To undertake a scoping review of existing research on A/EM health in New Zealand with a view to highlighting key health concerns for this group and identifying the areas where there is a concentration of A/EM research and, concomitantly, where there are gaps.

Blurred in translation: The influence of subjectivities and positionalities on the translation of health equity and inclusion policy initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Growing health inequities among the increasingly diverse population in Aotearoa New Zealand have prompted responses in the healthcare system. Diversity-related policies and programmes have been developed in some District Health Boards (DHB) to address the issues. The translation of such policy into practice is, however, convoluted by subjective interests and power differentials and thus the outcomes of policies may deviate from their original objectives.

Underreporting sexual violence among 'ethnic' migrant women: perspectives from Aotearoa/New Zealand.

In Aotearoa/New Zealand, sexual violence within minority ethnic communities is endemic, but grossly underreported. This paper presents the results of two small-scale qualitative studies that explored key issues in the underreporting of sexual violence. In-depth interviews were undertaken with key informants including academics, specialist sexual violence practitioners and community/social workers.

Mobilising culture against domestic violence in migrant and ethnic communities: practitioner perspectives from Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Studies on domestic violence in ethnic minority communities highlight that social norms, family structures and cultural practices are among the key triggers of violence against women. Not surprisingly, most anti-violence interventions in these communities aim to redeem women from the oppressive features of these cultures. More recently, however, emergent scholarship advocates mobilising, rather than erasing, culture within existing anti-violence strategies.

The 'problem' of Asian women's sexuality: public discourses in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Public health research in New Zealand views Asian health - particularly, Asian women's sexual health issues - as a priority problem. In recent years, high rates of abortion and the growing incidence of unsafe sex among younger age Asian migrants have been publicized as a health concern. Public health research implicates migrant experiences and cultural factors as responsible for these trends.