New Zealand's Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is calling for crucial action to address inequalities in asthma care experienced by Māori, Pacific peoples and those living in poverty this World Asthma Day.
Research completed by the Foundation last year found that one in six Māori live with asthma compared to one in eight for the general population. One in seven Pacific adults and one in six Pacific children have asthma, while those in the most deprived communities have a rate of one in seven.
This year's World Asthma Day theme is "Closing the gaps in asthma care" which the Foundation's Medical Director Dr James Fingleton said is fitting for New Zealand.
"Research over the last 50 years has shown that our Māori and Pacific populations and those living in the most deprived areas are carrying the heaviest health burden for asthma and other respiratory diseases.
"These groups are more likely to have asthma, be hospitalised with asthma and die from asthma. A national, coordinated response to address these inequalities is long overdue," he said.