It's A Worldwide Problem - Study reveals high cost of asthma

February 23, 2002

Study reveals high cost of asthma

A new study shows that asthma is costing New Zealand around $825 million a

year, more than double previous estimates.

The Burden of Asthma report, commissioned by the Asthma and Respiratory

Foundation, has found that asthma affects one in six New Zealanders, one of

the highest rates in the world.

The research shows that asthma costs $125 million in medical costs each year

with $50 million of that spent on drugs.

It is estimated that another $700 million is lost, mainly through days off

work or school, and through premature disability and death.

The family are among those who must deal with asthma every day of

their lives, with three of their four children suffering from the illness.

It costs Rex and Anne thousands of dollars a year in medication and

doctor visits.

" There's no historical asthma in the family and then we hit three out of

four, so we really hit the jackpot, " Rex says.

Professor Ian Town of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation says the

findings are a wake-up call for the health sector.

" We need to see asthma receiving some urgent priority, " he says.

Specialists agree, saying the costs to the economy are escalating.

" The Ministry of Health should be responsible because Pharmac's inability to

move and allow drugs actually forces patients to end up using other medical

resources like hospitals... which is more costly, " says Dr Liang

The Ministry of Health says it is working hard to reduce the costs of

primary health care, which will benefit people with all chronic illnesses,

including asthma.

A clinical adviser at the Ministry, Sandy Dawson, says a lot of work has

gone into reducing the costs of primary health care.

Dawson says while asthma is not on the Ministry's list of priorities, it is

still recognised as a major problem.

Published on Feb 18, 2002

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