Asthma in New Zealand: myths and realities

Asthma is a major health problem in New Zealand, generating large costs to the health services and industry. However, there are several myths concerni ng asthma in New Zealand. These are that it is more common and more severe in New Zealand than in the rest of the world, that it is more common in rur al areas and that asthma mortality in :New Zealand is the highest in the wo rld. Using recently,published data, it is now possible to show that none of these "facts" is true, In face, asthma in New Zealand appears to have a pr evalence and severity similar to those the other major English-speaking cou ntries and in this respect can be thought of as being first equal in the wo rld. The relevance of correcting these myths is that they could influence f uture research. Previous research into the causes of asthma has sometimes f ocused on factors unique to New Zealand in an attempt to explain the increa sing prevalence of asthma around the world, It may be more productive to di rect future research rewards identifying factors that the major English-spe aking countries have in common.