According to a report by Cure Kids, Pacific children in Aotearoa face a significantly higher risk of hospitalization due to acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The 2023 State of Child Health Report highlights that Pacific and Māori children are 115 and 46 times more likely to be hospitalized for ARF compared to other children in the country.
The report also noted that hospitalization rates for respiratory conditions are notably higher among Pacific children, who are 2.5 times more likely to be admitted, followed by Māori children at 1.8 times, then children from Middle Eastern, Latin American, or African (MELAA) backgrounds.
Stuart Dalziel, Cure Kids’ chair for child health research, remarked on Pacific Mornings that while Māori children are less than half as likely to suffer ARF hospitalization compared to their Pacific counterparts, the rates remain “unacceptable.” He emphasized that systemic issues are at play, stating, “The healthcare system is failing tamariki Māori and Pasifika children,” and pointed to determinants such as nutrition, housing, and poverty as critical factors influencing health outcomes.
Dalziel acknowledged progress in combating the disease but insisted more needs to be done. The report revealed that 61 percent of ARF or rheumatic heart disease (RHD) hospitalizations in 2022 occurred among children living in the most socioeconomically deprived areas.
He highlighted the importance of effective prevention strategies, including educational programs addressing throat pain, a known symptom of rheumatic fever, within schools and pharmacies.
Cure Kids identified five key areas for improvement regarding hospital admissions: respiratory conditions, rheumatic fever and heart disease, skin infections, dental health, and mental health.
In response to the report, Health Minister and Minister for Pacific Peoples, Dr. Shane Reti, announced the Pacific Healthy Homes initiative, aimed at retrofitting 600 Pacific homes with funding of $4.02 million over the next year. Reti noted the impact of poor housing conditions on health, particularly on respiratory conditions and rheumatic fever.
Additionally, the government is implementing various initiatives to bolster prevention and support for rheumatic fever, including free GP access for children under 14 years and a national coordination strategy. The Rheumatic Fever Roadmap for 2023-2028 aims to address rheumatic fever and RHD across New Zealand.
While Reti acknowledged the complexities of assessing the government’s health response, he pointed out the need for tangible results, such as improved immunization rates. He called for accountability, urging a review in two years to evaluate progress on immunization and reductions in RHD rates.