Increased asthma hospitalisations among children

27 April 2011

• Today is the first day of Asthma Awareness Week, which runs until Tuesday 3 May.

New Ministry of Health figures reveal that asthma hospitalisations among New Zealand children have increased.

In the 2009/2010 year, there were 4618 hospitalisations in New Zealand with asthma listed as the primary cause among 2 to 16 year olds, up from 4430 the previous year and 3524 in 2007/2008.

“New Zealanders, like other people across the world, need to take a more preventative approach in their attitude to asthma,” says the Asthma Foundation’s Chief Executive, Angela Francis.

“At the Asthma Foundation we have now entered a new preventative era. We are working hard and smart to improve respiratory health. We are lobbying government for healthier homes and better laws to fight the scourge of cigarette smoking. For example, through our work as part of the Smokefree Coalition, we’ve seen some recent results with the announcements about making New Zealand Smokefree by 2025 and banning cigarette displays.

“We’re also stepping up our efforts to urge people to manage their asthma through, for example, reducing their exposure to asthma triggers such as dust mites and sudden changes in temperature. We will continue funding research into treatments and educate on best practice, but prevention is where the new health thinking is and we need to be part of that, if we are to serve New Zealanders with asthma well.

“We ask that parents and caregivers of children with asthma make sure that their child has a child asthma plan, which they and the child can fill out with a health professional [these plans are available at www.asthmafoundationorg.nz]. Also parents need to have their children immunised against influenza each year. Children are encouraged to use their preventer medications regularly rather than just relying on their relievers when their asthma gets bad.”

We have a message for New Zealand: “Let’s keep our kids out of hospital!” You can support Asthma Awareness Week and Balloon Day at www.asthmafoundationorg.nz.

ENDS

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