World Asthma Day May
1, 2007
World Asthma Day (WAD) takes place each year on the first Tuesday
in May. Initiated by the Global Initiative for Asthma in 1998, the
National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) embraces WAD and marks the
occasion to highlight the need for ongoing care and vigilance in
managing asthma.
New awareness campaign launched
A new information campaign urging all Australians suffering from
asthma to talk to their doctor about a written Asthma Action
Plan was launched earlier today by the Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Brett Mason.
The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) Chairman, Professor
John Wilson, introduced Senator Mason who outlined the two
month, print and radio campaign.
The key messages of the awareness campaign are:
‘Plan to stay symptom free’ and ‘You can with an
asthma action plan’.
“Too many people either don’t realise that they
have asthma, or don’t realise that they can control
it,” Senator Mason said.
“A written Asthma Action Plan developed by the
patient with his or her doctor, is an essential part
of asthma self management and can reduce the need to
visit hospitals and doctors. With good management,
most people with asthma can live free from
symptoms.”
 A
major Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring report
also released today calls for increased use of
written Asthma Action Plans.
Senator Mason said the campaign was particularly
trying to reach parents and carers of children with
asthma, older Australians, and people who have been
diagnosed recently with asthma or with asthma-like
symptoms. Doctors will also be alerted to the
campaign’s important message through the medical
press and an asthma resources pack, which will be
mailed to every general practitioner.
Parallel campaigns will run in the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander communities and in
non-English speaking communities. Follow-up activity
will be undertaken later in 2007 and in 2008.
Speaking shortly after the launch in
Brisbane Ms Kristine Whorlow, NAC Chief Executive
Officer, said, "The National Asthma Council
Australia welcomes the launch of the Australian
Government's asthma awareness campaign."
"It is very important to keep the
profile of asthma high and the campaign will focus
on the use of written Asthma Action Plans by people
with asthma."
"Written Asthma Action Plans are
shown by evidence to improve asthma health outcomes.
This means that use of a written Asthma Action Plan,
training in self management, plus regular doctors
consultations means reduced emergency department
visits, reduced urgent GP visits and reduces the
need for extra medication."
Ms Whorlow also noted, "The asthma awareness
campaign launched today will give us the opportunity
to communicate properly for the first time with our
Indigenous communities and also with members of our
Ethnic communities."
‘Plan to Stay Symptom Free’
As part of the new Australian Government asthma
awareness campaign, print and radio advertisements
will run during May and June and general
practitioners will receive an information kit in
early May which will include a brochure and poster
on asthma.
To see these materials go to
2007 Campaign Materials
Around the Foundations
The Asthma Foundations around Australia also take the opportunity
on World Asthma Day to announce asthma initiatives or highlight
areas of endeavour in asthma in their otherwise busy calendar of
activities. Please take time to view activities and your local Foundation website.
Australian Capital Territory
The Chief Minister of the ACT, Jon Stanhope, will be
acknowledging World Asthma Day by participating in activities at
Fraser Primary School and then presenting the school with their
Asthma Friendly School Certificate of Recognition.
Asthma Foundation of ACT -
www.asthmaact.org.au
New South Wales
Asthma Foundation NSW will be taking the message that “You Can
Control Your Asthma” to the public on May 1 through a range of media
channels.
Free spirometry testing will be conducted in Pitt Street Mall
between 11am and 2pm. Health professionals and Asthma Educators will
be available to conduct and interpret the tests.
People with asthma should make an appointment with their GP to
get an Asthma Action Plan if they don’t already have one.
Asthma Foundation of New South Wales -
www.asthmansw.org.au
Queensland
The Asthma Foundation of Queensland is conducting the World
Asthma Day Forum for health professionals working in asthma
management. The purpose of the forum is to present health
professionals with the most current research, enabling them to
improve health outcomes for people with asthma.
The O2 Initiative being launched by the Asthma Foundation of
Queensland is the biggest ever search for people with asthma in
Queensland. The Foundation is looking to eventually register all
of the estimated 500,000 people with asthma in Queensland. Local
television celebrity and Asthma Foundation board member Mr Pat
Welsh is leading the campaign. To find out more about the O2
Initiative, visit
www.asthmaqld.org.au and click on 'Register your asthma'.
The Asthma Foundation of Queensland's “The Search for the Ruby”
begins on World Asthma Day to promote awareness of research into
asthma in Queensland and to publicise the Ruby Research Ball 2007
being held later in the year. To find out more about “The Search for
the Ruby” and the Ruby Research Ball 2007, go to
www.rubyresearch.org.au or phone Tracey McLeod on (07) 3252
7677.
Asthma Foundation of Queensland -
www.asthmaqld.org.au
Northern Territory
On 1 May at 1pm Ludmilla Primary School will promote asthma
awareness by involving Asthma Foundation NT in a display about
asthma, promoting physical activity and asthma and blowing out five
out of six candles on a cake to signify that one in six children has
asthma in Australia.
Schools can become asthma friendly by:
- Registering an interest in the program and receiving
resources
- Achieving recognition as an Asthma Friendly School by fulfilling the
eight essential criteria.
For more information please contact Jill McGee at Asthma
Foundation NT on 8922 8817.
South Australia
Asthma Foundation of South Australia -
www.asthmasa.org.au
Tasmania
Asthma Foundation of Tasmania -
www.asthmatas.org.au
Victoria
Asthma Foundation of Victoria -
www.asthma.org.au
Western Australia
Asthma Foundation of Western Australia -
www.asthmawa.org.au
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, 318
Australians died from asthma in 2005.
People aged 70 plus accounted for 191 of
the deaths recorded, while those aged 40 to
60 years accounted for 95 deaths.
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
Asthma Mortality Statistics
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
2006 - the unmet needs of asthma
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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