New research in the latest Public Health Communication Centre briefing highlighted how vulnerable New Zealanders were to transport poverty, even with small rises in costs.
Lead author and University of Otago (Christchurch) population health researcher Associate Prof Angela Curl warned volatile fuel costs and wider cost-of-living pressures were intensifying transport poverty and increasing health inequities across the country.
She said many households already spent a large share of their income on transport, the average household spending $252 per week (15.7% of their total expenditure) on transport.
Recent fuel price increases linked to the Middle East conflict had added further pressure, households reportedly spending an extra $65 per week on fuel on average.
‘‘The evidence is clear that transport poverty reduces access to key determinants of health, including healthcare, nutritious food, education, employment and social connection.’’
About 134,000 adults missed out on GP appointments each year because of transport issues, while transport costs were also linked to missed maternity care and created barriers to employment.
Assoc Prof Curl said higher spending on fuel could force households to cut back on essentials such as food and home heating, contributing to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.
‘‘The government’s short-term relief payments do not address the structural causes of transport poverty, and exclude many people most affected by fuel price increases, including students, unpaid carers and people out of work.’’
Instead, there should be long-term investment in healthier and more sustainable transport systems that reduce reliance on private vehicles and fossil fuels.
She also recommended measures such as urban planning that reduced the need to travel long distances, improved public transport and tailored transport solutions for rural communities.
‘‘Reducing dependence on private vehicles would improve resilience to future fuel price shocks, while also delivering benefits for health, equity and the environment.’’
