Brochure shows dedication to better Māori respiratory health

Asthma Foundation

Media Statement

6 July 2011

Brochure shows dedication to better Māori respiratory health

The Asthma Foundation has chosen Māori Language Week (4 to 10 July) to release a bilingual version of a brochure that provides tips on staying healthy for people with asthma.

Me Awhina i a Koe anō me te Noho Hauora, or Help Yourself and Stay Well, provides tips such as having an asthma management plan and getting a flu vaccination, and identifies a number of common asthma triggers. The brochure is downloadable from www.asthmafoundation.org.nz.

“The timing of this is intentional. We aim to make more of our resources available in Te Reo. The respiratory disease figures for Māori are particularly alarming. Reducing the burden of respiratory disease among Māori is one of the Foundation’s key goals,” says the Chief Executive of the Asthma Foundation, Angela Francis.

Respiratory conditions are the leading cause of hospitalisations for New Zealanders aged under 5 and over 65. The Māori rate of hospitalisations due to respiratory health problems is more than 1.5 that of non-Māori[1].

Asthma is the most common cause of hospital admissions for respiratory disease among Māori[2].

“We need to make respiratory services more accessible to Māori across the country. This is part of our response to the high rates of respiratory illness and death among Māori.” Angela says.

“There is more to come. Watch this space.”

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