Case Study: Ministry of Health NZ achieves accurate diabetes prevalence tracking and targeted care planning with SAS Analytics

Ministry of Health NZ - Customer Case Study

New Zealand’s Ministry of Health needed a reliable way to measure diabetes prevalence and plan services, but inconsistent data collection across general practices and hospitals made accurate, timely estimates impossible—hindering clinical quality improvements and resource allocation for a condition that drives high morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs.

Using SAS analytics the ministry created a Virtual Diabetes Register that links six major health databases via the National Health Index and refines predictive models against primary care registers. The VDR produced a more accurate prevalence estimate (189,256 people, 4.39% vs an earlier 210,679/4.88%), identified high‑risk cohorts (notably Indian and Pacific populations), supports District Health Boards and GPs in targeting resources while protecting privacy, and handles over 100 million rows for ongoing monitoring and policy planning.

Ministry of Health NZ

Paul Drury

Clinical Director of the Diabetes Auckland Center and Medical Director