Māori Asthma Hospitalisation Rates Fall

Emma
Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori Journalism
Intern
18 December 2024

Asthma hospitalisations
among Māori have decreased, according to a new study, but
experts warn there is still a long way to go.

Asthma –
the condition that causes airways to swell and narrow –
affects one in eight New Zealanders. An asthma attack causes
coughing, wheezing, and difficulty with breathing.

The
study – conducted by the Medical Research Institute of New
Zealand (MRINZ) – shows a 32 percent drop in asthma-related
hospital discharges of Māori, and a 23 percent decrease
amongst non-Māori, due to the increased use of
inhalers.

MRINZ director Professor Richard Beasley
said there was a 111 percent increase in
budesonide/formoterol two-in-one inhaler use among Māori
within the past four years.

He said it highlighted the
quality of primary care in New Zealand.

“This evidence
exemplifies how GPs are adapting their prescribing practices
in line with evidence-based recommendations, ensuring
patients benefit from advances in treatment.”

The
two-in-one inhaler acts as a preventer and a reliever – used
for regular scheduled maintenance and as relief when attacks
happen.

Beasley said the Asthma and Respiratory
Foundation’s guidelines – implemented in 2016/17 – helped
with the ‘heartening’ progress.

“These results are
encouraging and show that improved asthma treatment regimens
can have a real impact in reducing the risk of
life-threatening asthma attacks among Māori.”

Despite
the positive findings, the study revealed that there was
much to do to bridge the health equity gap between Māori
and non-Māori.

“There remains a two-and-a-half-fold
disparity in hospitalisation rates between Māori and
non-Māori, stressing the need to address broader health
barriers.”

Asthma remains a prevalent health challenge
among Māori, often worsened by limited healthcare access,
environmental disparities, and socioeconomic factors. The
study’s authors said safe housing, healthcare literacy, and
reduced healthcare costs are crucial for equity.

GP
and study investigator Dr Matire Harwood (Ngāpuhi) said
persisting inequities showed the urgent need to address the
root of these health disparities.

“Solutions that
empower Māori through accessible, culturally safe care and
systemic change will help create sustainable improvements in
respiratory health outcomes.”

She said progress
happened when evidence-based treatments were implemented in
a way that resonated with Māori health needs.

The
study’s findings offered a model that can benefit indigenous
communities around the world, she said.

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