 World Asthma Day May 2, 2006
The theme of World Asthma Day this year is ‘the unmet needs of
asthma’ and, one of the most common unmet needs in Australia is the
need for a written Asthma Action Plan.
For World Asthma Day, the National Asthma
Council Australia is urging the over 2.2 million
Australians with asthma to prepare, or update,
their written Asthma Action Plans.
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.
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"Asthma prevalence in Australia is
relatively high but we can minimise its impact through
greater awareness and understanding. The recognition of
asthma as a national health priority has given enormous
impetus to better asthma management here.
World Asthma Day is an occasion that should remind
Australians, with some pride, of the importance of
working together to become world leaders in tackling
health issues and remind us to continue to be vigilant
in our attack on asthma.
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 Research shows
that written Asthma 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.
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. It’s a little bit of
precaution that could save a life.
There is no cure for asthma, but asthma deaths are
preventable - we just need to continue to take it
seriously.
Poorly managed asthma can be fatal. According to the
latest statistics, 311 Australians died from asthma in
2004.
These figures reinforce the need for increased
vigilance, particularly amongst adult populations who
can become lax about adhering to their personal asthma
action plans.”
Associate Professor John Wilson
Chairman, National Asthma Council Australia |
Asthma Quick Facts
- Asthma is a disease of the airways.
- When a person has asthma symptoms,
- the muscles around the airways tighten;
- the lining of the airways swells; and,
- extra mucus may be produced.
- These changes cause the airways to become
narrow, so that there is less space for the air
to flow in and out of the lungs.
- The symptoms of asthma include
- a wheeze, or whistling sounds, as the person
breathes;
- tightness in the chest;
- shortness of breath; and,
- a cough, especially in the early morning or
with exercise or activity.
- Asthma tends to be a long-lasting condition
but the symptoms may occur frequently or only
occasionally.
- Poorly managed asthma can be fatal.
According to the latest statistics, 311
Australians died from asthma in 2004.
People who have a written Asthma Action Plan have better
controlled asthma, fewer asthma symptoms and fewer days off work or
school because of asthma.
Useful Resources
 Written Asthma Action Plans
First Aid for
Asthma
For more information or support, contact your
local Asthma Foundation on 1800 645 130.
Asthma Foundations of Australia
Asthma Foundation of the ACT
Asthma Foundation of New South Wales
Asthma Foundation of Northern Territory
Asthma Foundation of Queensland
Asthma Foundation of South Australia
Asthma Foundation of Tasmania
Asthma Foundation of Victoria
Asthma Foundation of Western Australia
Previous World Asthma Day Themes
World Asthma Day
2005 - Asthma – in case of emergency...
World Asthma Day
2004 - Australia leads the way toward better asthma
management
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