Background

This document is the result of an investigation of the evidence supporting the recommendations in the Six Step Asthma Management Plan in the Australian Asthma Management Handbook 1996, published by the National Asthma Campaign (NAC). These recommendations were developed in 1989 by consultation and consensus, and have been updated throughout the past decade, but until now have lacked direct reference to supporting evidence. NSW Health provided funding for this important evidence-based review.

This booklet is a summary of a large and comprehensive report of the available evidence supporting the Australian Asthma Management Plan. The large report was created as a reference document for NSW Health and for interested researchers and practitioners. It is available on the NAC website: www.NationalAsthma.org.au  and the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au. The work on the evidence-based review is ongoing and the website will be updated accordingly.