New national Foundation unites heart and lung charities

New Zealand has a new national charity dedicated to tackling the country's biggest heart and lung health challenges, following the merger of four leading organisations to form the Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ.

The Foundation brings together the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, Kia Manawanui Trust – The Heart of Aotearoa, the Lung Foundation and the Bronchiectasis Foundation creating a single voice to advocate for better prevention, earlier diagnosis, faster access to intervention, and more equitable care for New Zealanders.

One in five New Zealanders live with respiratory disease, one in five deaths are due to heart disease. Together, these conditions cost the country an estimated $20 billion every year.

Yet despite their enormous impact, heart and lung health have too often been treated as separate issues.

Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says this Foundation was created to change that.

"The heart and lungs don't work in isolation.

“In fact, the same things that can damage your lungs like air pollution, smoking and vaping, and poor housing, can also damage your heart.”

The Foundation wants to see faster access to guideline recommended medicines and medical devices, a nationally-funded lung cancer screening programme, stronger tobacco and vaping policies, tighter regulations around healthy homes, and investment in workforce.

The Foundation will continue to work alongside health professionals, researchers, policymakers and communities to ensure heart and lung health are a national health priority, Ms Harding says.

“We have a wealth of cardiac and respiratory expertise with our scientific advisory boards, and we are going to champion for those working hard to help patients.”

The Cardiac and Respiratory Foundation NZ will be officially opened by the Minister of Health, The Honourable Simeon Brown at a launch event in Auckland on Thursday 23 July.