Turia Promoting need for Asthma Education
Health Spokesperson for the Mori Party, Hon Tariana Turia, is supporting Balloon Day 2008 (Saturday 10 May) as an excellent way of drawing the attention of the nation to the fact that one in four children in Aotearoa has asthma.
“The key thing about asthma is the need for effective education to know how to manage symptoms when they emerge, or how to prevent episodes from occurring by either medication or self-management” said Mrs Turia.
“I know from my own experience, that once I had the knowledge and strategies to take action on my asthma, it made the world of difference” said Mrs Turia.
“A huge concern for me is that although the prevalence of asthma between Mori and non-Mori is relatively similar, there are such marked differences in outcomes with Mori having higher hospitalization rates in all age groups”.
“All the research tells us that the disparities continue to be seen in prevention strategies, diagnosis and care” said Mrs Turia.
“So if Balloon Day can help to dismantle the ethnic disparities in asthma management, I’m sure we’ll all breathe a lot easier” said Mrs Turia.
“Parliament could put a lot more puff behind this issue too” said Mrs Turia.
“There’s been some great work done on identifying these issues by groups like Te RMpk Rangahau Hauora a Eru PMmare and the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation”.
“Politicians need to look at all the information that’s out there, and make sure that increased investment is given to public health promotion and primary health care treatment” said Mrs Turia. “The Public Health Bill before Parliament right now, might be a very good place to start”.