New research shows a worrying increase in preventable breathing illnesses in New Zealand children.
The study, released by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, indicates that while respiratory illnesses are declining in other developed countries, they are increasing in New Zealand with one in four of our children affected. .
The study reveals that among the top 10 causes of potentially avoidable hospital admissions in young New Zealanders, the majority are respiratory conditions. Hospital admission rates for child asthma remain high and rates for Maori and Pacific Islanders have risen.
Co-editor of the study, Respiratory paediatrician Dr Cass Byrnes, says cases of pneumonia, tuberculosis, whooping cough and lung scarring are all on the increase, especially in children. She says that is a real concern because childhood respiratory problems can cause a higher death rate in young adults and health problems in adulthood.
The study also explores the social context of respiratory disease and how factors such as housing, income, access to health care, nutrition and immunisation have contributed to our poor respiratory health status.
Another author, Professor Innes Asher, says that income has long been widely recognised as the most important health determinant.
"We know that the number of children living in poverty increased from 16% in 1988 to a staggering 29% in 2000. The Working for Families package will alleviate the situations for only one third of children in poverty," she says.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Executive Director Jane Patterson says in light of the research the "Minister of Health needs to act decisively and include respiratory illness as a priority population health objective in the New Zealand Health Strategy."
Patterson says more work on preventing impacts of secondhand smoke and better immunisation and housing is needed to address the problem.
Asthma is the most common cause of child hospital admissions and it is estimated that asthma costs New Zealand $825 million per year in direct and indirect costs.
However, the Ministry of Health says there are no current plans to add respiratory illnesses to the country's top health priorities.
The ministry's child and youth health chief advisor, Pat Tuohy, says the smoking objective covers some respiratory illnesses. He says they would consider adding respiratory illnesses if there was a review, but there is no set date for one.
