A recent report by Cure Kids reveals that Pacific children are over 100 times more likely to be hospitalized with acute rheumatic fever (ARF). According to the 2023 State of Child Health Report, Pacific and Māori children face hospitalization rates for ARF that are 115 and 46 times higher, respectively, compared to their peers in Aotearoa.
The report also highlights that Pacific children are 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for respiratory issues, while Māori children have a 1.8 times higher rate. In a discussion with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Stuart Dalziel, chair of child health research at Cure Kids, emphasized that the disparity in hospitalization rates for Māori children, although significantly lower than those of Pacific children, is still “unacceptable.”
Dalziel stated, “The drivers to this I think essentially in terms of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) – our healthcare system is failing tamariki Māori and Pasifika children.” He pointed out the necessity of focusing on determinants of good health, such as adequate nutrition, housing, and poverty alleviation, along with improving care delivery for children with rheumatic fever.
Despite some progress noted in the report, Dalziel indicated that there is still significant work to be done. It was found that 61 percent of ARF or RHD hospitalizations in 2022 occurred among children from areas with high socioeconomic deprivation. He acknowledged the existence of increased susceptibility in Pacific populations but insisted that the current rates of rheumatic fever remain excessively high.
Dalziel advocated for preventative measures, suggesting the establishment of effective programs for managing throat pain—commonly associated with rheumatic fever—accessible in schools and pharmacies within communities.
Cure Kids has identified five priority areas concerning hospital admissions: respiratory conditions, rheumatic fever and heart disease, skin infections, dental health, and mental well-being. In response, Health Minister Dr. Shane Reti announced the Pacific Healthy Homes initiative, funded with $4.02 million over the next year, aimed at retrofitting 600 Pacific homes to improve living conditions linked to health issues.
Reti noted, “Everyone accepts that moldy, damp homes contribute to respiratory conditions and conditions like rheumatic fever.” He highlighted various initiatives aimed at preventing rheumatic fever, including free GP access for children under 14 and a national coordination strategy.
The Rheumatic Fever Roadmap 2023-2028, introduced last year by then-Associate Health Minister Barbara Edmonds, aims to combat rheumatic fever and RHD in New Zealand over the next five years. Reti affirmed the need to unite disparate initiatives under a cohesive national strategy for rheumatic fever.
When pressed for confidence in the government’s health response, Reti acknowledged the challenges, stating the government has not had substantial time in leadership. He highlighted the importance of achieving health system targets, such as immunizing 95 percent of two-year-olds, with current rates at 78 percent. Reti concluded that the true measure of the government’s effectiveness would be demonstrated through improved health outcomes over the next two years.