NAC Asthma Strategy

The Strategy is a guide for those with an interest in asthma care, providing a framework within which to plan and implement activities at local, State and Territory and national levels. It was developed with stakeholders including the National Asthma Council, Asthma Foundations of Australia, the National Asthma Reference Group, the Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring and the Department of Health and Ageing.

Australia is recognised worldwide as one of the leaders in asthma management and research. However, this 'honour' comes with a price - Australia has one of the highest asthma prevalence rates in the world, ranking in the top three.

Asthma is a serious problem in Australia. There has been a true collaborative spirit in Australia where organisations and individuals have worked together to achieve better quality of life for people with asthma. Effective, evaluated interventions for asthma management have been developed, good treatment is available, public awareness of asthma is high and people with asthma have a better understanding of their own asthma management. 

The problem of asthma in Australia is well known and documented. The strategies for action outlined in this report will put into effect the National Asthma Strategy, Goals and Targets published by the National Asthma Council (formerly the National Asthma Campaign) in 1994. The strategies have been developed by a broad based steering group, representative of the major bodies in asthma.

The purpose of a national asthma strategy is to establish a unifying direction for all forms of endeavour in the field of asthma.

A report that makes an important contribution to our body of knowledge about asthma and its impact on the Australian community. The report was developed at a time when there was a significant rise in the morbidity and mortality rates from asthma in Australia.