[ad_1]
An attempt to capture the current health of children has highlighted a grim outlook of increasing dental disease, skin infections and respiratory problems.
Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly
Cure Kids, which today publishes its first annual State of Child Health report, says hospitalization rates are increasing for those under the age of 15 and will only get worse unless action is taken.
Stacey Kale, a mother of four, has twins Grace and Amelia who were born prematurely with chronic lung disease.
Now three years old, they make regular trips to the hospital and face the prospect of going to the ICU if they come in contact with someone who is sick.
Mom Stacey said the family home has become dry and warm and is urging other people with sick children to do the same.
“We just have to make sure we are very careful … it is people who don’t stay home or take care of things early … if they stay home and really improve instead of being in the community spreading things because there are so many people that they are so vulnerable and really fighting to fight it, “he said.
Data collected from hospital admissions, the New Zealand Health Survey and oral health agencies show that childhood dental diseases, respiratory conditions, and skin infections are on the rise.
Hospitalization rates are highest among Maori and Pasifika children, as well as among children under the age of five.
Cure Kids CEO Frances Benge called it a bleak read.
She said that around 40,000 New Zealand children go to hospital each year with preventable diseases.
“Look, some of the barriers include lack of physical access, therefore distance, poor understanding of health, poor living conditions, lack of nutrition,” he said.
Less than 60 percent of children brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
About 4 in 10 of all five-year-old Kiwi children suffer from some form of tooth decay.
Benge said that without intervention, hospital visits for cavities would only get worse.
“The practice of brushing our teeth is really poor and that applies to every child in New Zealand, so it is definitely something that education, health prioritization and research on why our children are vulnerable to Tooth decay can be reversed, “he said.
Respiratory conditions are the leading cause of acute hospital admissions and parents are concerned about common signs, such as coughing and wheezing.
Auckland senior pediatrician Simon Rowley said early life conditions could eventually lead to more serious illnesses.
“Tooth decay can lead to such severe general health, particularly heart health, but also the way children feel, and a bloodstream infection,” he said.
The research was conducted by the University of Otago.
Director and clinical epidemiologist Dr. Mavis Duncanson said a strong public health system should be able to promote and improve children’s health.
“There are serious issues that we must address in terms of allowing each child to live their best life and enjoy the health that really should be their right,” he said.
Next year’s research will focus on children’s mental health, obesity and nutrition.
