Overview
Eczema affects approximately 15-25% of tamariki, depending on their age, across Aotearoa. Although it is a very common condition, it is poorly understood and managed by health professionals and whānau alike throughout the motu. Te Rōpū Kiripai Hapori is the Child and Youth Clinical Network for Eczema. Our clinical reference group for this network is made up of a small number of passionate health professionals from primary care, community, secondary and tertiary paediatrics. We are keen to spread the word about managing and treating eczema effectively.
Network priorities
Education Our network’s biggest concern is the equity of access to knowledge, resources, and appropriate treatment for eczema. Despite being a chronic condition, most childhood eczema is mild and can be easily managed with simple education, prescribed creams, and whānau support. Unfortunately, this basic education and support is often lacking, leading to thousands of children and their families suffering unnecessarily from abnormal skin, poor quality of life, and significant sleep disturbance.
Primary Care Support Primary care providers are some of the most time-pressed health professionals, often seeing children with eczema only during acute flares in short appointments without routine follow-up. On the other hand, we know that nurse-led clinics can successfully manage these children, resulting in more empowered whānau and better long-term outcomes. However, current funding models do not prioritise these services in primary care settings.
Reducing Health Disparities Recent population research reveals high rates of eczema among our youngest and most vulnerable tamariki, particularly in Pasifika and low socioeconomic groups, which are the very communities that face the greatest barriers to accessing healthcare. Hospitalisation rates for eczema also highlight significant ethnic and socioeconomic disparities, with most admissions being almost entirely preventable with appropriate primary and secondary care. This further underscores the need to prioritise eczema care and how it is funded in our healthcare system.
Contact
If you are a health professional interested in receiving our newsletter, please email us at eczemacn@paediatrics.org.nz to join Te Rōpū Kiripai Hapori Extended Network.
