Christopher Jackson, Co-lead of the Cancer National Clinical Network at Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora, and Professor of Oncology at the University of Otago, shared a post on Facebook:
“Regarding evidence rather than ideology.
Māori die 7-8 years younger than non-Māori.
5.5% of the medical workforce are Māori compared to 15% of the general population.
Māori are more likely to die from cancer stage for stage, and experience multiple incremental delays along the pathway.
Māori are more likely to be diagnosed a later stage than non-Māori, and health systems are a factor in that.
These are not ideological statements. They are facts.
They are also related facts.
As a doctor, if you’re not even a little curious about why these things occur, then maybe you’re not a very good doctor.
Curiousity, critical reflection, research, and seeking to remedy injustice are what makes us better humans.
Denying facts makes us worse.”
Other articles featuring Christopher Jackson on Oncodaily.