Primary health focus at NZ Respiratory Conference

Media Statement
The Asthma Foundation

From the New Zealand Respiratory Conference
Thursday 27 and Friday 28 September

Primary health focus at NZ Respiratory Conference

Delegates and speakers from overseas and around the country are converging on Wellington this Thursday for the Asthma Foundation’s annual Respiratory Conference. This year the conference theme is Our Primary Focus. The Conference will look at the vital role primary health plays in managing respiratory disease and keeping people out of hospital.

The Conference will include presentations on:
• Primary Prevention – how addressing social determinants will help to prevent the development of a respiratory conditon in the first place;
• Respiratory Clinics – useful tools and information for health professionals to minimise the impact of illnesses that have already developed; and
• Preparation for end-of-life care – Professor Robin Taylor’s extensive work on advanced care planning culminating in the release of his DVD ‘A Good Death’.
The economic burden of asthma alone in New Zealand has been conservatively estimated at over $800,000,000 per year. What concerns the Foundation is that much of this burden of disease is preventable. Conference convener and national education services manager for the Foundation, Teresa Demetriou, says “the Foundation is an advocate for primary prevention strategies to minimise respiratory disease, and the Conference presentations support this stance.

“Reports continue to show the link between social determinants and poor respiratory health. We know that reducing poverty; providing warm, dry homes; promoting smoking cessation; improving access to health care; and delivering high quality respiratory education will provide a good start to tackling the increasing problem of respiratory illness in New Zealand,” says Angela Francis, Chief Executive of the Foundation.

Better education, of both clients and health professionals, is also key to minimising the impact of illnesses that have already developed.

“We need to improve our primary prevention and provide the tools to empower patients and their families to manage their respiratory condition,” said Teresa.

The Conference’s keynote speeches, the workshops and the plenary sessions will all provide a unique opportunity to reflect on actions that need to occur to improve the respiratory health of New Zealanders.

The Honourable Peter Dunne, Associate Health Minister, will open the Conference on Thursday 27 September. It will conclude at the close of day Friday 28 September.

Speakers include:

• Dr Helen Reddel, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
• Dr Michael Baker, associate professor and public health physician in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington
• Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington
• Robert Linterman, general manager residential, EECA

There will also be a wide range of presentations by researchers, respiratory health experts, registered nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists presenting on topics of current interest and importance.

The venue for the Conference is James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington.
The Conference is the biggest respiratory event in New Zealand and media are welcome to attend.

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