New Zealand cervical screening drive a success
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
New Zealand claims that there has been an increased uptake of cervical screening in women from all population groups as a result of a dedicated national awareness campaign. Notably, more Maori and Pacific Islander women have been screened since September 2007 when the campaign was launched and August 2008. Increases of 6% and 11% have been recorded for these population groups, respectively. Overall, a 3% increase in screening has been recorded, according to associate health minister Steve Chadwick. Other successes of the initiative include: 40,000 new enrolments in the screening programme; and a 27% increase in calls to the programme's information line. Under the National Cervical Screening Programme, women between the ages of 20-70 are offered access to cervical screening.