Respiratory Community News Pasifika research gets green light A Massey University led study has been awarded $971,541 by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) to explore the barriers to self-management of asthma in Pacific children. Asthma prevalence in New Zealand is among the highest in the world with one in nine adults and one in seven children affected, with a disproportionately high and persistent burden among Pacific and Māori populations. Principal investigator Dr Sunia Foliaki, Research Officer at Massey’s Centre for Public Health Research says the 36-month study will assess the availability and usage of asthma self-management plans.
Image Source: South Pacific Tourism Exchange
“As part of the study, we will conduct focus groups and interviews to gain a broader insight into the barriers and facilitators to selfmanagement of asthma from the perspective and experiences of asthma clients, parents and health care providers,” says Dr Foliaki.
Respiratory resources go rural
Get crafty and be in to win!
In July, the Foundation distributed more than 26,000 free resources to rural communities or those deemed to have increased rates of respiratory disease.
We are pleased to announce that entries to our Better Breathing Art Competition are now open as part of Breathe Better September!
We know that improving health literacy and access to information such as online, in print, or in-person, is important to reduce inequities and empower people to self-manage their own respiratory health.
This year’s theme is ‘Te Hā Ora - The Breath of Life’, and we want to know what it looks like to have healthy lungs and better breathing! You can choose any medium to express this – drawing, collage, painting – the opportunities are endless!
A Ministry of Social Development (MSD) grant enabled the Foundation to send the resources to 120 rural, iwi and Pasifika Health Centres, 120 early childhood education providers (ECEs), and 79 Māori medium primary schools in areas where respiratory disease is most prevalent. Massive thanks to the team at Apex Medical (Daniel and Taro pictured above) for distributing these resources for us.
Each category winner will receive a brand new scooter, kindly donated by Micro Scooters Australia & NZ (valued between $169 - 229 each) AND have their art featured in Better Breathing Magazine! Entries are open now until 30 September. For more information on how to enter visit: breathebetterseptember.co.nz
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