title: Equity in statin use in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preventive medications such as statins are used to reduce cardiovascular risk. There is some evidence to suggest that people of lower socioeconomic position are less likely to be prescribed statins. In New Zealand, Maori have higher rates of cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate statin utilisation by socioeconomic position and ethnicity in a region of New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study in which data were collected on all prescriptions dispensed from all pharmacies in one city during 2005/6. Linkage with national datasets provided information on patients' age, gender and ethnicity. Socioeconomic position was identified using the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statin use increased with age until around 75 years. Below age 65 years, those in the most deprived socioeconomic areas were most likely to receive statins. In the 55-64 age group, 22.3% of the most deprived population received a statin prescription (compared with 17.5% of the mid and 18.6% of the least deprived group). At ages up to 75 years, use was higher amongst Maori than non-Maori, particularly in middle age, where Maori have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. In the 45-54 age group, 11.6% of Maori received a statin prescription, compared with 8.7% of non-Maori.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statin use approximately matched the pattern of need, in contrast to other studies which found under-treatment of people of low socioeconomic position. A PHARMAC campaign to increase statin use may have increased use in high-risk groups in New Zealand.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, PB 56, Dunedin, New Zealand. pauline.norris@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horsburgh
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Becket
authors.affiliation: Turanga Health, Gisborne, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keown
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arroll
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lovelock
authors.affiliation: Pro-Vice-Chancellor's Office, Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crampton
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Centre, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cumming
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herbison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D012923:Social Class; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors