ABOUT 5590+
insights 6 , which demonstrate a significant and growing burden from conditions such as heart disease, with clear links to lifestyle-related risk factors and long-term health behaviours 7 . Taken together, this evidence indicates that the 5590+ focus areas remain valid, relevant and action oriented , with health promotion continuing to represent one of the most powerful and scalable levers for improving population health and reducing long term pressure on the health system. THE NUTRITION GAP: Time to move beyond awareness and create environments that make healthy choices easier. National data highlights a clear opportunity to improve daily health behaviours, particularly nutrition. The most recent New Zealand Health Survey shows that only 6.8% of adults meet the recommended vegetable intake, down from 9% in 2023/24, and fewer than half of adults meet fruit intake guidelines.
Originally released in 2021, the 5590+ framework was designed to simplify complex health evidence into a small number of actionable behaviours linked to long-term health outcomes. As part of this update, we have revisited the latest available global and New Zealand data to ensure the framework continues to reflect current evidence and remains relevant today. Latest available WHO Global Health Estimates, which remain the most comprehensive internationally comparable dataset on causes of death, indicate that approximately 89–90% of all deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand are attributable to NCDs. 3 These include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, mental ill health and respiratory conditions, and are linked to modifiable behaviours, particularly nutrition, physical inactivity, smoking, harmful alcohol use and broader environmental influences. While cause and effect is complex and often interrelated, the overall pattern is consistent. Empowering a small set of everyday behaviours could reduce risk for the majority of preventable illness and premature mortality, reinforcing the core premise of 5590+ as a simple, evidence aligned framework for action. This broader picture is reflected in AIA New Zealand’s Claims Compass
3 World Health Organization. (2024) . Global Health Estimates: Life expectancy and leading causes of death (data to 2021) . https://www.who.int/data/global-health-estimates & World Health Organization. (2025). World health statistics 2025: Monitoring health for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). World Health Organization. 5 Ministry of Health. (2025, November 19). Annual update of key results 2024/25: New Zealand Health Survey . https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202425-new-zealand-health-survey [health.govt.nz] 6 AIA New Zealand. (2026). Claims Compass 2025: Spotlight on heart claims. https://documents.aia.co.nz/claims-compass-3/ 7 World Health Organization. (2024). Tackling NCDs: Best buys and other recommended interventions for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (2nd ed.). https://www.who.int/ publications/i/item/9789240091078 8 Ministry of Health. 2025. Health and Independence Report 2024 – Te Pūrongo mō te Hauora me te Tū Motuhake 2024. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
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