A Call to Action: Addressing Child Health Disparities in Aotearoa Through Sustainable Housing Solutions

In its 2023 State of Child Health Report, Cure Kids highlights the urgent need for action to improve health outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa. We stand firmly with Dr Claire Achmad, the Chief Children's Commissioner at Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People's Commission, in calling on the government to tackle the root causes of poverty, particularly the dire state of housing. 

The report reveals a concerning reality: children living in the most deprived areas face double the hospitalisation rates for respiratory conditions compared to their peers. Infants under one year are disproportionately affected, with hospitalisations for respiratory issues surging by 44% over the past two decades. 

Alarmingly, Pasifika children are 2.5 times more likely, and tamariki Māori 1.8 times more likely, to be hospitalised for respiratory conditions. This disparity highlights a critical equity issue, as Māori and Pasifika children are often over-represented in low-income households, where housing quality is subpar, and overcrowding is common. 

Investing in sustainable solutions for housing is essential. Initiatives like energy-efficient renovations and education on maintaining warm, dry, and healthy homes can significantly reduce illness and hospitalisation rates. For instance, the Healthy Homes Initiative has already shown a 20% reduction in hospitalisations for respiratory illnesses among those receiving housing support. However, this is only a starting point. We need to expand these efforts, as current programmes reach just a fraction of those in need. 

Increasing support for initiatives like the Healthy Homes Initiative can improve health outcomes, enhance educational opportunities by reducing school absences, and alleviate the financial strain of poor health—especially for Māori and Pasifika families. 

Child health inequities persist amid high disease rates, according to new report • Cure Kids