About Breathing Conditions.

Many New Zealanders live with respiratory conditions and they are the third leading cause of death in Aotearoa. One in 8 adults and 1 in 7 children take medication for asthma and nearly 700,000 people have lung or airway issues. Respiratory conditions impact the whole community - they have a significant impact on individuals and families’ quality of life and their ability to participate in school, work and their community.

Large numbers of children are being admitted to hospital with asthma and some will have had a potentially life-threatening attack. Poor health contributes to non-participation in activities such as sport; inability to socialise and poor school attendance impacts children’s learning.

With more understanding of these conditions, they can be better managed, which allows people to live day-to-day more easily and reduces the incidence of respiratory crisis.