New WHO branch in New Zealand

A new branch of the World Health Organisation's Quality of Life (WHOQoL) initiative has been established in New Zealand.

The new centre, based at AUT University, will play a part in the international drive to research quality of life, by adapting WHO initiatives and measurements from different countries.

Dr Daniel Sheperd, lecturer at AUT, said: "It is important to gauge treatment outcomes not only in terms of symptom reduction but also with reference to quality of life."

There are currently 26 WHOQoL centres around the world which research the four main dimensions of psychological, physical, social and environmental wellbeing.

Health norms in New Zealand and its surrounding Maori and Pacific Islands will be monitored and researched by the new branch.

"This is the direction health care is moving in, while the person may not be experiencing severe symptoms they may still have a poor quality of life because of their health condition," added Dr Sheperd.

Earlier this week the WHO and its partners celebrated World Health Day with the aim of protecting health from climate change around the world.