High Electricity Prices Linked to Increased Hospitalizations for Asthma: Study

A recent research claims that increasing electricity prices increases the number of hospital admission for asthma in New Zealand.

Researchers at University of Canterbury claim that the increasing number of hospitalizations for asthma is linked to the increasing electricity prices in New Zealand.

As electricity rates increase, people cut down the home heating system and this is blamed to hike the hospitalizations for asthma, especially among young schoolchildren.

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Researcher Dr Andrea Menclova says that instead the efficiency of the heating system could be improved to provide heating at same costs and to prevent asthma symptoms.

It is estimated that asthma costs the country $125 million a year in direct medical costs, and $700m a year indirectly.

The authors conclude that extensive research is required to establish the link between asthma and indoor heating for young children.

Source-Medindia

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