Letitia’s Message

I hope everyone managed to enjoy a much needed break over the festive summer season, and that you also took some time out to look after yourself and others. Now that 2021 has well and truly kicked off, the Foundation whānau are busy once again – key projects for this first quarter of the year included the relaunch of our updated online Fundamentals e-learning course, as well as publishing the first New Zealand Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Guidelines, which we discuss on page 3.

Following on from the new vaping regulations which came into effect last year, public consultation is now underway as part of the review process. Feedback is being sought on the restrictions surrounding vaping product displays in retail stores, the use of harm-reduction statements, and packaging requirements for vape products. Find out how you can have your say on page 2.

The Foundation understands that people need to transition completely from smoking to vaping if they are to benefit, and that these people need a support plan with ‘quit smoking’ advice each time they purchase a vaping product.

These regulations are a chance to find a balance between supporting current cigarette smokers to quit, whilst also protecting our youth from vaping.

Another long-standing project we are pleased to have completed this quarter is the launch our new online resource store. For some time, we have wanted to update and refresh the way health professionals order and download our health resources so that we can continue to aid in improving patient health outcomes. New features now include guest checkout, digital downloads, and order tracking.

You may have also noticed that the Foundation has been quite vocal on the healthy homes front lately. The healthy homes standards became law on 1 July 2019, which introduced specific, minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, and draught stopping in rental properties.

This was good news for our respiratory whānau who live in a rented property. Damp, mouldy homes lead to increased hospital admissions for respiratory related diseases such as asthma, pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

The next big step is to raise the standards of new-builds around the country so that in 50 years’ time we aren’t seeing the same cold and damp homes becoming part of the New Zealand housing stock. There are many innovative and energy efficient builds now on the New Zealand market, and we should be learning and embracing the way we can raise the bar when it comes to building new homes across the country. Take a look at page 11 to see a better way of building that’s also better for respiratory health with our Friends, eHaus.

As we start to come into the cooler months, it’s time to start thinking about getting your influenza (flu) vaccine. Those eligible for a free flu vaccine include; pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, eligible people under 65 years of age with certain chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD, and children aged 4 years or under who have a history of significant respiratory illness.

This issue, we also focus on a lesser known virus, RSV. This common viral infection infects most children before the age of two, and can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

Finally, we hope as always that you continue to support and value what the Foundation does. The Foundation receives no contract Government funding towards producing all of the information and resources that we continue to provide free of charge, and we can only do this through the generous support from our sponsors, donor whānau, and community grants, such as Pub Charity, that we are always so thankful to receive.

Noho ora mai