CardiAction’s Impact on Cardiovascular Screening in Indigenous Māori Communities
Summary
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among Indigenous populations, with Māori communities in New Zealand facing significantly higher rates of heart disease and stroke compared to non-Māori. Barriers such as limited access to healthcare, cultural perceptions of medical testing, and fear of invasive procedures contribute to lower screening rates.
To address these challenges, CardiAction was introduced as a non-invasive, culturally appropriate cardiovascular risk assessment tool. By eliminating the need for blood tests and providing fast, accessible screening, CardiAction empowered Māori communities to take proactive steps toward better heart health.
Key Results:
Increased Screening Accessibility–Over X Māori participants screened in the first X months.
High Engagement–X% of participants had never been screened for cardiovascular disease before.
Early Detection of High-Risk Individuals–X% of participants identified as high risk and referred for further medical evaluation.
Positive Community Response–Strong uptake in local Māori health clinics, pharmacies, and community-led programs.
The Cardiovascular Health Crisis in Indigenous Māori Communities
1. High Prevalence of Heart Disease
Māori experience higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, all of which significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many individuals remain undiagnosed until they suffer a severe health event, making early screening a critical public health priority.
2. Barriers to Traditional Screening
Despite the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease, Indigenous communities like the Māori face unique challenges that reduce screening rates:
• Limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas.
• Cultural concerns around medical testing, leading to lower engagement with traditional health assessments.
• Fear of invasive procedures, such as blood tests, discouraging participation in preventive screenings.
3. The Need for a Culturally Appropriate Screening Approach
To improve participation rates, a cardiovascular risk assessment tool needed to be accessible, non-invasive, and integrated into community-led health programs.
Why CardiAction Was the Ideal Solution
1. Non-Invasive & Accessible
Unlike traditional cardiovascular risk assessments that require blood tests or medical imaging, CardiAction is a completely non-invasive screening tool. It estimates central systolic pressure using six key biometrics and can be conducted in pharmacies, community health centres, or through mobile health clinics, and integrates with Pulse Wave Analysis machines like the Uscom BP+ device for high quality readings and additional data.
2. Fast & Scalable for Indigenous Population Screening
CardiAction assessments take just 1–2 minutes online and 15-20 minutes when used in a clinical setting with a blood pressure machine(or BP+ machine), making it an efficient and scalable tool for large-scale screenings. This is particularly beneficial for government-funded Indigenous health initiatives.3. Scientifically Validated & Culturally TrustedCardiAction’s80% accuracy rate has been independently verified by Griffith University and validated against the Uscom BP+ machine, ensuring scientific credibility and trust among both healthcare providers and Indigenous health organisations. Implementation & Community Engagement
Step 1: Partnering with Māori Health Organisations
CardiAction collaborated with Māori health providers, Indigenous-led wellness programs, and local pharmacies to integrate cardiovascular risk assessments into existing community health initiatives.
Step 2: On-Site & Mobile Health Screenings
• Pharmacy-Based Screenings: Walk-in screenings in pharmacies made it easy for Māori individuals to assess their cardiovascular risk while managing their prescriptions.
• Community & Marae-Based Screenings :Health workers brought mobile screening stations to Marae (Māori community meeting places), increasing access to heart health assessments in familiar, culturally safe environments.
Step 3:Health Education & Referral Pathways
Participants received personalised risk assessments with clear recommendations.
High-risk individuals were referred for follow-up care, lifestyle coaching, and GP consultations to ensure ongoing support.
Results & Impact
Metric Outcome
Total Māori screened X individuals
First-time heart screenings X% of participants
High-risk individuals identified X%
Follow-up care uptake X% of high-risk participants
Community engagement rating X/10(based on participant feedback)
Key Takeaways:
• Over X% of participants had never undergone cardiovascular risk assessment before.
• X% of high-risk individuals were referred to a doctor for further medical evaluation.
• Māori health leaders reported increased awareness and engagement in cardiovascular disease prevention programs.
Expanding CardiAction’s Impact in Indigenous & Remote Populations
Following the success of this Māori cardiovascular screening initiative, CardiAction is now being explored for other Indigenous populations and remote health programs worldwide.
How CardiAction Supports Indigenous & Underserved Communities Globally:
- Mass Screening for Indigenous & High-Risk Populations–Ideal for government agencies and Indigenous health organisations
- Scalable for Remote & Rural Communities–No need for specialised medical equipment or lab tests.
- Partnerships with Indigenous Health Providers–Supports culturally appropriate and community-driven healthcare initiatives.
Conclusion: A Scalable Model for Indigenous Heart Health Prevention
The Māori cardiovascular screening case study demonstrates how CardiAction’s non-invasive, fast, and validated risk assessment tool can significantly improve heart health outcomes in Indigenous populations.
By removing barriers to screening, providing accessible risk assessments, and partnering with Indigenous-led healthcare providers, CardiAction has successfully contributed to early detection, prevention, and improved heart health among Māori communities.
Want to Bring CardiAction to Your Community?
CardiAction is available for government health initiatives, pharmacy-led screenings, and Indigenous health programs worldwide.
Contact us today to learn how CardiAction can support your Indigenous health initiative.
