1 September 2011
Māori children fall further behind with respiratory health
The gap between Māori and non-Māori asthma has widened, and the recession has contributed to more hospital admissions
for respiratory diseases in children, it was announced at the New Zealand Respiratory Conference today.
Professor Innes Asher, Paediatrician from The University of Auckland told a 120-strong audience of health professionals
at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington the news in an address about ISAAC (The International Study of Asthma and
Allergies in Childhood), the biggest epidemiological research project involving children ever undertaken, involving more
than 2 million children in 105 countries.
More Māori children have asthma than non-Māori children and their asthma is more severe, Prof Asher says.
She says that tackling social determinants of health such as housing and reducing the costs of doctor’s visits and
asthma medicines were essential to tackling the problem.
The Chief Executive of the Asthma Foundation, Angela Francis, says that the Foundation supports the findings and on the
basis of this statement today is renewing its commitment to prioritise Māori respiratory health.
“This is a significant day for our organsiation and respiratory health for Māori in New Zealand.”
The conference finishes tomorrow afternoon.
ENDS