World Asthma Day May 6, 2008 

Message on World Asthma Day

Asthma, which now affects more than one in six Australian children, can be better controlled if asthma action plans are prepared or updated with the help of family doctors.

World Asthma Day today (6 May 2008) is more relevant than ever in Australia, as more than two million people, or 10.3 per cent of the total population, has asthma.

This is high by international standards and the Australian Government wants to stem the tide. Children, in particular, are affected by asthma - a common reason for emergency department visits and hospitalisation.

The Government is focused on prevention and best practice management of chronic diseases such as asthma - one of the nation’s eight national health priority areas.

All Australians with asthma are encouraged to heed World Asthma Day’s message: ‘You can control your asthma’. This is the time to prepare or update personal asthma action plans, to help people recognise if their symptoms are getting worse and what action is required.

One of the ways the Government is reinforcing this message is through Medicare, which allows people with asthma to develop a ‘cycle of care’ asthma action plan with their GP.

In addition, the Government has committed $27.1 million from 2005 until 2009 under the Asthma Management Program.

Measures under the program include more training for GPs and allied health professionals on asthma management and more community-based support and education for those with asthma and their carers, all of whom play a vital role in managing asthma.

The Australian Government subsidises treatments for asthma through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule which include symptom controllers, non-steroid preventers, inhaled corticosteroid preventers and combination therapies.

This expenditure through the PBS costs more than $280 million a year.

The Hon Nicola Roxon MP

Minister for Health and Ageing

Got asthma? You need a plan!

Tuesday May 6, 2008 is World Asthma Day and the National Asthma Council Australia is urging the two million plus Australians with asthma to prepare, or update, their asthma action plans.

According to National Asthma Council Australia chairman, Professor John Wilson, asthma prevalence in this country is relatively high but we can minimise its impact through greater awareness and understanding.

“The theme of World Asthma Day this year is ‘you can control your asthma’ and, the best way to control asthma is to have an up-to-date written asthma action plan,” Prof Wilson said.

These written instructions help people with asthma, as well as their family, carers and neighbours, recognise how to tell if asthma symptoms are getting worse, and what action to take.

“Research shows that written action plans keep people with asthma in control of their condition. They are better equipped to recognise deterioration of their symptoms and can respond appropriately,” Prof Wilson said.

Unfortunately, many Australians with asthma do not have a written asthma action plan, despite evidence that shows that asthma self-management programs that involve a written action plan have a greater reduction in hospitalisation than those that do not.¹

“People who have a written action plan have better controlled asthma, fewer asthma symptoms and fewer days off work or school because of asthma.

“In the same way that daylight savings signals the time to change your smoke alarm battery, World Asthma Day is the time to make a resolution to consult your GP and prepare a written plan, or if you already have a plan, make sure it is up-to-date,” Prof Wilson urged.

Poorly managed asthma can be fatal. According to the latest statistics, 402 Australians died from asthma in 2006.

“There is no cure for asthma, but asthma deaths are preventable - we just need to continue to take it seriously.”

Sample asthma action plans can be downloaded from the National Asthma Council Australia website: www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/management/action_plans/ap005.asp

Reference

1. Gibson, P. G., J. Coughlan, et al. (2000). "Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma." (2): CD001117.

Breathe easier on World Asthma Day

The prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world – around two million Australians have the condition and asthma is one of the ten most common reasons to visit a general practitioner in Australia. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is urging general practitioners to use the prominence of World Asthma Day on 6 May to review their patients’ asthma management to help them to control their asthma effectively.

World Asthma Day is an annual event organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. The event’s theme for this year is You Can Control Your Asthma.

“General practitioners play a major role in managing asthma. World Asthma Day is a great opportunity for general practitioners to raise the issue of asthma management with their patients and in particular, to discuss treatment compliance,” said Dr Vasantha Preetham, Perth-based general practitioner and RACGP President.

“Unfortunately asthma cannot be cured, but the good news is that it can be effectively managed. Most patients can achieve good control of their condition, and a great quality of life, if they work closely with their doctor.

“Treating asthma in disadvantaged and dislocated communities is a challenge. All people in Australia deserve access to the best asthma care, whether they live in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, if they are living in immigration detention or in prison or if they are homeless. General practitioners play a key role in extending asthma care to many disadvantaged communities.”

Studies have shown that the number of Australians dying from asthma has dropped significantly in the last decade, but compliance with treatment programs is still too low.

“General practitioners should consider developing a written asthma action plan to help improve compliance when discussing asthma management with their patients and their carers,” said Dr Noela Whitby AM, National Asthma Council Australia director as the representative of the RACGP and Brisbane-based general practitioner.

“Many general practitioners are already working with their patients to develop an action plan; we support this being extended. Action plans can reduce the need for patients to access after hour doctor visits and hospital care.

“An asthma action plan helps the patient or carer to recognise and respond appropriately to worsening asthma. The plans are individually tailored according to the pattern of the adult or child’s asthma, written and provided for the patient to keep. Doctors should carefully explain the plan to their patient to ensure the best health outcomes.”

The National Asthma Council Australia provides quick access to a selection of the most reputable plans currently available in Australia. Patients can visit the asthma action plans webpage for more information.

GPs can find more details on the National Asthma Council Australia’s recommendations on asthma management in the Asthma Management Handbook.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners