New Global Asthma Guidelines and NZ’s role w/ Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding: 11th May, 2026

Last week, the Global Initiative for Asthma released an update to the recommended approach for treating asthma in children. The change now advises that children should follow the same treatment approach as adults, using a 2-in-1 anti-inflammatory reliever inhaler rather than the currently commonly used reliever-only inhaler.

The announcement was based in part on findings from a study conducted by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, which found that the change in treatment could reduce asthma attacks in children by an average of 45%.

To discuss the potential impacts of the global treatment update and New Zealand’s role in the change, host Thomas talked to the Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand, Letitia Harding.