Rheumatic fever is New Zealand's most striking example of inequality in the health system, Northland District Health Board medical officer of health Jonathan Jarman says. If the disease were not confined to Maori and Pacific Islanders, more would be done to combat it.
"It's the most striking of all health inequalities and it has been hidden from sight for many years."
New Zealand has one of the worst rates of rheumatic fever among children and teenagers in the developed world. They have already been called a "national disgrace" by other health officials. Last year there were 168 reported cases.
Each year about 450 people are admitted to hospital with rheumatic heart disease and about 200 die. It is prevalent in Maori and Pacific Island communities, who are 20 per cent and 37 per cent more likely to end up in hospital with acute cases.
The National Heart Foundation has called for it to be eradicated from eight North Island "hot spots", including Cannons Creek in Porirua and Flaxmere in Hastings, by 2020.
Dr Jarman highlighted his concerns in an editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal. He said there was a lack of action because "it's a disease that affects mainly Pacific people and Maori children".
"I think it's seen as not a problem for most of New Zealand, and that's very sad."
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia said the Government was committed to combating the high rates of the disease. "The rates of rheumatic fever are now 14 times higher in New Zealand than any other OECD country and we simply must do something about that. I have asked officials to give this matter urgent attention."
Mrs Turia has directed the Health Ministry to work with social policy and housing agencies to identify ways of dealing with the underlying causes of rheumatic fever, which starts with streptococcal throat infections and can lead to serious heart problems and death.
Most developed countries have eradicated the disease by tackling such problems as cold, damp and overcrowded houses, and smoking.
Dr Jarman, supported by the Medical Association, is calling for rates of the disease to be made a national health indicator. "By making it a health target, that means that DHBs will be accountable for the sort of progress they make in reducing it," he said. "It's not just about treating the sore throat appropriately with 10 days of antibiotics, it's also about looking at improving the quality of homes, reducing overcrowding, improving access so that people can afford to see a doctor and that they have transport to see a doctor ... looking at ways that you can make it easier for them to take 10 days of antibiotics.
"In New Zealand we have a good quality of life, we believe we have a high-quality health system and yet we have a disease which is rampant and is increasing, which has been wiped out in most developed countries."
Labour health spokesman Grant Robertson said the Government needed to shift to community health prevention programmes and deal with underlying causes rather than the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" approach.
"It's the most striking of all health inequalities and it has been hidden from sight for many years."
New Zealand has one of the worst rates of rheumatic fever among children and teenagers in the developed world. They have already been called a "national disgrace" by other health officials. Last year there were 168 reported cases.
Each year about 450 people are admitted to hospital with rheumatic heart disease and about 200 die. It is prevalent in Maori and Pacific Island communities, who are 20 per cent and 37 per cent more likely to end up in hospital with acute cases.
The National Heart Foundation has called for it to be eradicated from eight North Island "hot spots", including Cannons Creek in Porirua and Flaxmere in Hastings, by 2020.
Dr Jarman highlighted his concerns in an editorial in the New Zealand Medical Journal. He said there was a lack of action because "it's a disease that affects mainly Pacific people and Maori children".
"I think it's seen as not a problem for most of New Zealand, and that's very sad."
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia said the Government was committed to combating the high rates of the disease. "The rates of rheumatic fever are now 14 times higher in New Zealand than any other OECD country and we simply must do something about that. I have asked officials to give this matter urgent attention."
Mrs Turia has directed the Health Ministry to work with social policy and housing agencies to identify ways of dealing with the underlying causes of rheumatic fever, which starts with streptococcal throat infections and can lead to serious heart problems and death.
Most developed countries have eradicated the disease by tackling such problems as cold, damp and overcrowded houses, and smoking.
Dr Jarman, supported by the Medical Association, is calling for rates of the disease to be made a national health indicator. "By making it a health target, that means that DHBs will be accountable for the sort of progress they make in reducing it," he said. "It's not just about treating the sore throat appropriately with 10 days of antibiotics, it's also about looking at improving the quality of homes, reducing overcrowding, improving access so that people can afford to see a doctor and that they have transport to see a doctor ... looking at ways that you can make it easier for them to take 10 days of antibiotics.
Labour health spokesman Grant Robertson said the Government needed to shift to community health prevention programmes and deal with underlying causes rather than the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" approach.
