Morbidity (Asthma In NZ)

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incidence of asthma in more economically developed western countries as opposed to poorer, under developed countries. Studies are currently being conducted to understand and identify reasons for this. Economic conditions, our diets, immunisation programmes, climate conditions, community health care standards and rates of Tuberculosis and other respiratory infections are being investigated and compared to other countries with lower morbidity statistics (Asthma & Respiratory Foundation).

The burden of asthma in New Zealand outlines the extent and impact of asthma, and presents compelling evidence that the condition needs to be taken more seriously. Asthma affects approximately one in six New Zealanders usually beginning in childhood (Asthma & Respiratory Foundation, 1999). It is a concern that although it is part of a world wide trend, the prevalence of childhood asthma in New Zealand has increased over the past 20 to 30 years. An estimated 44 percent of New Zealand children experience asthma symptoms at sometime before they reach the age of fifteen. Reasons for this still remain unclear. Fortunately however, few New Zealand children die from asthma, statistically every year one to four children die from asthma. It is said that improved medication and clinical management has played a major role in the prevention of deaths (Asthma & Respiratory Foundation, 1999).

Statistics supplied by the New Zealand Asthma & Respiratory Foundation (1999) state that in our country around 450,000 people in 1993 were diagnosed with asthma. Of these, 170,000 were children aged 0 to fourteen. The rate of increase is estimated to be 50 percent every ten to fifteen years.

Asthma costs New Zealand an estimated $825 million per year in total. This accounts for the 450,000 New Zealanders who have been diagnosed with asthma, the direct costs of health services, and the indirect costs due to lost productivity within the work force. It’s estimated that an...