New resource aims to improve asthma health literacy

4 September 2017

New resource aims to improve asthma health literacy

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has proudly launched a new resource that aims to improve the asthma health literacy of families across New Zealand. The “Managing your child’s asthma” resource teaches parents about asthma including how to help prevent an asthma attack.

“One in seven children suffer from asthma, and it's estimated 586,000 school days are lost each year due to asthma,” says Teresa Demetriou, GM - Education and Research at the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.

The content in the resource will help parents ensure their child stays fit, healthy, and happy. It can be easily accessed online, and is simple and easy to use.

The “Managing your child’s asthma” resource will also help parents and caregivers to answer these questions:
What is asthma?
What are the symptoms of asthma?
What are the triggers for asthma?
How is asthma treated?
What should I do to manage my child’s asthma?
What should I do in an emergency?
Should my child be physically active?
Who can help?
Who are our asthma health providers?
“Asthma is a common New Zealand illness, but it’s scary for parents when it affects their child. It’s not unusual for parents to find it difficult to take in information, or leave the doctor’s office feeling overwhelmed and wishing they had asked more questions,” says Demetriou.

“Because everyone learns in different ways, we have produced the resource as a printed booklet and an online learning tool that includes narrations,” says Demetriou.

The “Managing your child’s asthma” resource comes a year and a half after the launch of Te Hā Ora: National Respiratory Strategy, which sets out clear steps for all New Zealanders to take in order to reduce the impact of the disease.

Focusing on whānau ora - individuals and families, the resource aims to improve health literacy, so families are ultimately more informed to make good health decisions.

“Over half of total asthma hospitalisations are children under the age of 15 years old, therefore families especially young parents with children in this age group are an important audience for the Foundation,” says Demetriou.

This September, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ will run a national respiratory awareness campaign called Breathe Better September, to raise the profile of all respiratory conditions.

ENDS

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