Māori and Rural Children Most at Risk from Appendicitis, Study Reveals
New research has found that Māori and rural children are at a significantly greater risk of developing severe paediatric appendicitis. According to the study, one in 10 children will get appendicitis, with severe cases linked to poor health literacy and longer delays in getting to a hospital.
Rural Children Suffer Four Times Higher Rate of Severe Appendicitis
Research lead Dr Brodie Elliot told Midday Report that rural children suffer from severe appendicitis four times the rate of those in living urban areas. This disparity highlights the need for urgent action to address the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
Māori Children Double the Risk of Severe Appendicitis Compared to Non-Māori Children
Dr Elliot also noted that Māori children double the rate than non-Māori children when it comes to severe appendicitis. This finding underscores the importance of addressing the unique health challenges faced by Māori communities.
The Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Healthcare Access
According to Dr Elliot, “The risk of perferation occurs before reaching the hospital. We’ve got an unequal outcome based on socio-economic factors that occur before a prompt hospital response.”
Promoting Early Intervention and Access to Care
Dr Elliot emphasized the need for parents in rural areas to assess their child’s condition before weighing up the cost of heading to hospital. “As soon as you add in rurality, travel distance, [having] multiple children, and previous bad experiences with the hospital, your threshold as parents is going to be higher to access hospital,” he said.
The Need for Inequity-Free Healthcare
Dr Elliot’s comments highlight the urgent need for inequity-free healthcare that addresses the unique challenges faced by Māori and rural communities. By working together, we can promote better health outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access.
Listen to Dr Brodie Elliot’s Full Interview
For more on this important topic, listen to Dr Brodie Elliot’s full interview with Midday Report:
Conclusion
The research highlights the urgent need for action to address the disparities in healthcare access and outcomes faced by Māori and rural communities. By working together, we can promote better health outcomes and reduce inequities in healthcare.
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