5590+: From awareness to scalable action for Healthier, Longer, Better Lives

Since 2021, the 5590+ framework has helped simplify the factors that have the greatest influence on our long-term health and wellbeing. 

The 5590+ report highlights that five modifiable behaviours are linked to five major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that together are connected to more than 90% of deaths in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Today, the evidence supporting this framework remains as strong as ever. But as New Zealand continues to face growing pressure from NCDs, the next opportunity is clear: it is time to move from awareness to action. 

The choices we make every day can impact our health. 

The latest report confirms that NCDs including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory conditions and poor mental health remain among the leading causes of ill health and premature death in Aotearoa. 

While this sounds like bad news. There is hope, as we also know that many of these conditions are influenced by everyday behaviours including physical activity, nutrition, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and our interaction with the environment.

While engaging in healthy behaviours can feel overwhelming at times, the message behind 5590+ is simple: small, consistent actions can have a meaningful impact on our future health. Rather than focusing on perfection, 5590+ encourages progress. Every healthier choice, whether it's taking a walk, eating more vegetables or learning more about your health numbers, can contribute to better long-term health outcomes.   

One of the strongest messages from the refreshed 5590+ report is the importance of healthy eating.

New Zealand has made encouraging progress in some areas of health over recent decades, including reduced smoking rates and improvements in mortality from some NCDs. However, nutrition-related health challenges continue to grow. 

Recent data shows that only a small proportion of New Zealand adults meet recommended vegetable intake guidelines, while fewer than half consume enough fruit. At the same time, rates of obesity and nutrition-related conditions continue to place significant pressure on individuals, families, and the wider health system.

The good news is that nutrition is one of the most powerful levers available to improve population health. Even small improvements in the foods we eat every day can help reduce the risk of NCDs  and support better physical and mental wellbeing.  

When it comes to building healthier habits, knowledge is only part of the equation. Many factors influence food choice.

The refreshed 5590+ report highlights the importance of creating environments that make healthier decisions more accessible, affordable, and achievable. Whether at home, at work or while shopping, our surroundings can have a significant influence on the choices we make every day. 

This reflects a growing global focus on prevention. The World Health Organization's "best buys" framework identifies practical, cost-effective interventions that help people make healthier choices and reduce the risk of NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer.

By combining education, supportive environments and incentives that encourage positive behaviours, it's possible to create lasting improvements in health at both an individual and community level.  

Another focus of the latest 5590+ report is the importance of understanding key health measures.

Numbers such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and body composition can provide valuable insight into your current health and future risk factors. While these numbers can sometimes feel intimidating, they are also empowering.

Your numbers give you a starting point and how they move over time matters to our health. Small changes such as moving more, improving your nutrition, or establishing healthier daily routines can support meaningful health improvements over time.

The next chapter of 5590+ recognises that healthier lives are built through a combination of individual choices and collective support.

When workplaces, communities, health providers and organisations work together to make healthy living easier, the benefits can extend far beyond the individual. Improved wellbeing today has the potential to reduce future pressure on hospitals and healthcare services while helping more New Zealanders enjoy Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. 

The future of 5590+ is about empowering scalable action. Not through dramatic changes, but through more people taking small, sustainable steps that add up over time.

Because better health isn't about being perfect. It's about making one healthy choice at a time.