Shock at widening gaps in respiratory health

The Asthma Foundation

Media Release

8 October 2014

A Breath of Hope - New Zealand Respiratory Conference, 9-10 October

Shock at new statistics which show widening gaps in respiratory health

New statistics to be presented at the New Zealand Respiratory Conference based on 2013 data highlight that more needs to be done to support Maori and Pacific with respiratory conditions and those from the poorest households.

Based on hospitalisation data for 2013 :

• Maori and Pacific Islanders with asthma are three times more likely to be admitted to hospital as non-Maori (previously this was two times)

• For bronchiolitis, around 350 children from wealthy homes were admitted to hospital compared to nearly 3000 admissions from the poorest households.

• Pacific Islanders aged between 15-29 with bronchiectasis (scarring and chronic infection of the lungs) are 10 times more likely to be admitted to hospital than Europeans

Angela Francis, chief executive of the Asthma Foundation says “these startling statistics are a call to action to the government. The link between the social determinants of health and poor respiratory outcomes has been demonstrated again. Until issues with housing, low incomes and access to healthcare are addressed it will always be a struggle for the poorest people to achieve and maintain good health status.”

Dr Kyle Perrin, medical director of the Asthma Foundation agrees. He said “while we were aware that Maori, Pacific Islanders and lower socioeconomic groups in New Zealand have poor respiratory health, we are shocked by the size of the gaps these statistics show. It is unlikely that any significant progress will be made in this area unless respiratory health is made a specific public health priority, backed up by significant public policy changes.”

The Asthma Foundation has started down the pathway to influencing these figures. The initial phase of a Maori engagement strategy has been implemented which aims to build relationships with Whanau Ora collectives to enable a better response to, and support for, Maori respiratory health.

A Maori health literacy research project, funded by the Ministry of Health, aims to highlight how health practitioners can support those with asthma and their whanau to understand essential health information.

Angela says, “We are not standing still. These statistics make us more determined; we will continue to lobby government to make respiratory disease a health target so that all New Zealanders can breathe freely.”

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