A recent report by Cure Kids highlights that Pacific children are over 100 times more likely to be hospitalized due to acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The 2023 State of Child Health Report reveals that Pacific and Māori children have hospitalization rates for ARF 115 and 46 times higher than other children in Aotearoa, respectively.
The report further indicates that hospitalization rates for respiratory conditions are also elevated among Pacific children, who are 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized than their Pākehā counterparts, while Māori children are 1.8 times more likely.
Stuart Dalziel, chair of child health research at Cure Kids, shared insights during an appearance on Pacific Mornings that while Māori children are significantly less likely to be hospitalized for ARF compared to Pacific children, the situation remains unacceptable. He emphasized that the healthcare system is failing both Māori and Pasifika children and called for a focus on the underlying determinants of health, such as adequate nutrition, housing, and poverty alleviation.
Dalziel acknowledged some progress in reducing rheumatic fever cases since 2012 but noted that the rates are still alarmingly high, at 60 times more than they should be. He suggested that better preventive measures, particularly in schools and pharmacies, could help address issues like throat pain, which is a symptom of rheumatic fever.
The report identified five priority areas for addressing hospital admissions, including respiratory diseases, rheumatic fever and heart disease, skin infections, dental health, and mental wellbeing.
In response to the findings, Dr. Shane Reti, Health Minister and Minister for Pacific Peoples, mentioned that the Pacific Healthy Homes initiative, recently announced, aims to address these issues with a $4.02 million investment to retrofit 600 homes inhabited by Pacific families.
Reti noted that issues such as damp, unhealthy homes contribute significantly to respiratory problems and conditions like rheumatic fever. Additionally, he highlighted various initiatives aimed at providing better support for preventing rheumatic fever, including free access to GPs for children under 14.
The government’s Rheumatic Fever Roadmap for 2023-2028, unveiled by former Associate Health Minister Barbara Edmonds, aims to address the high rates of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease over the next five years. Reti commented on the importance of government accountability regarding health outcomes, particularly immunization targets, expressing concern that progress has not yet met expectations.
He stated that true evaluation of the government’s health response would come in two years when they could demonstrate improvements in immunization rates and reductions in rheumatic heart disease.