BOPDHB Checkup May 2017 | Page 26

Parents urged to take care of their children’s coughs Next month, Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service will be running the ‘Take Care of Coughs’ campaign to raise awareness among parents and caregivers of the importance of taking care of their child’s cough. The campaign is part of the work Toi Te Ora is undertaking to reduce childhood admissions to hospital from respiratory infections. Childhood respiratory infections cause a large burden of illness in New Zealand, with very high rates of admission to hospital when compared with other developed countries. For some children, severe or repeated respiratory infections lead to permanent lung damage resulting in a life time of ill health and disability, and possibly a premature death. Being able to recognise the early signs of an infection, and seeking the right treatment straight away, can help to stop minor infections becoming more serious. The campaign will use a mix of channels to get the key messages out, including printed resources, website, radio, social media and digital news site advertising. For more information go to www.ttophs.govt.nz/coughs Community Health 4 Kids Light it Orange for Shine By Sue Baker, Adolescent Public Health Nurse, Community Health 4 Kids . Community Health 4 Kids (CH4K) recently adopted an orange dress code for a week in support of the Light it Orange for Shine campaign. Shine is New Zealand’s largest charity providing a range of effective, practical and innovative services aimed at stopping domestic abuse in New Zealand. Shine works in partnership with many organisations, from the NZ Police and Child Youth & Family Services to Family Works and District Health Boards. The CH4K team had an Orange mufti day, with the proceeds going to Shine. As Public Health Nurses we see the catastrophic impact that family violence has on families. It’s part of our role to identify suspected abuse and refer women and children to the appropriate agencies. 26 Tauranga CH4K team ‘Light it Orange’ in support of Shine.