Asthma Awareness Week – 30 April – 6 May

30 April 2012

Asthma Awareness Week – 30 April – 6 May

How many kids in your region have asthma? It’s not a pretty picture

Imagine that every single person in Hamilton has asthma. That’s how many New Zealand children live with the challenges, fears and disadvantages of asthma.

“At well over 200 000, the number of New Zealand children with asthma is far greater than the population of the Hamilton urban area [203,000],” the Asthma Foundation’s Chief Executive, Angela Francis, says.

The Asthma Foundation has estimated children’s asthma prevalence figures for New Zealand’s regions as well, which will shock many New Zealanders. The figures are based on 1 in 4 New Zealand children having asthma and census 2006 regional population numbers.

For example in Auckland, it’s estimated about 70,000 children have asthma (nearly as many people as in the Rodney District) and in Wellington about 23,000, or the population of Johnsonville.

“And, this is not just about numbers, but children’s everyday lives. We’re committed to alleviating the fear, pain and disadvantage that children with asthma face. The wheezing; the breathlessness; the days off school. The sudden, scary trips to hospital,” Angela says.

The Foundation’s patron, the Governor-­General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae urges New Zealand to support Asthma Awareness Week. “The Asthma Foundation is one of the many community organisations that protect those things that are most important to New Zealanders – health and well-­being. Asthma Awareness Week is a time where all New Zealanders can reflect on the challenges that those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses are faced with every day. As a community, it is important we all contribute to supporting them and Asthma Awareness Week is an opportunity to do that."

Asthma Awareness Week is 30 April until 6 May with Balloon Day on Friday 4 May. In addition to its message that ‘1 in 4 children struggles to blow up a balloon. Asthma won’t let them’, the Asthma Foundation is asking New Zealanders to join them to ‘keep our kids out of hospital!’

1. About 1 in 4 New Zealand children has asthma and 1 in 6 adults.
2. New Zealand has the second highest rate of asthma in the world, following the UK.
3. About 800 000 New Zealanders are affected by asthma and other respiratory conditions.
4. It is estimated that 550,000 school days are lost each year due to asthma.

Click here for more information.

About the Asthma Foundation

The Asthma Foundation is New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector authority on asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

We advocate to government and raise awareness of respiratory illnesses, fund research for better treatments and educate on best practice. We provide resources on our website and support our 17 affiliated Asthma Societies in providing education, support and advice.

www.asthmafoundation.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media