Lay summary
This research project will be creating a profile of the Dunstan Hospital catchment by ethnicity, age, socioeconomic deprivation, and rurality and then comparing this with mortality rates and health service utilisation of the catchment with a particular focus on comparing Māori with non-Māori. I will be collecting data, calculating rates, and then comparing my results with other regions. The aim is then to give this data to local health services (Central Otago Health Services and Uruuruwhenua Health Inc.) to help identify the health needs of Central Otago and to inform future action plans for the area.