Lead Articles
Asthma Mortality Statistics for 2004 Now Available
December 2005
The latest information released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics continues the downward trend of the national asthma death toll, which peaked in 1989 with 964 deaths.
Three hundred and eleven Australians died from asthma in 2004 – three less than the number of deaths recorded in 2003. More...
New Chairman for National Asthma Council
November 2005
Associate Professor John Wilson has been appointed as the new Chairman of the National Asthma Council, Australia’s peak asthma body, following Associate Professor Ron Tomlins’ retirement from the Board at the recent Annual General Meeting.
Prof Tomlins has served on the Board of the National Asthma Council, as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ representative since 1999 and has held the position of Chairman since 2000. More...
Combination Therapy - A Question of Balance
September 2005
National Asthma Council Webcast
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
7.30 to 8.30 pm AEST
The National Asthma Council will conduct its third national webcast about asthma and combination therapy for general practitioners, pharmacists and other health professionals. More...
Complementary Therapies and Asthma
August 2005
In recent years there has been increasing use of complementary therapies for the treatment of many conditions, including asthma. There are many reasons why people might choose to use complementary therapies. For example, they may not be happy with Western medicine or may see complementary therapies as ‘safe and natural’. Some people feel that using complementary therapies gives them more control over their treatment.
Whatever the reason for using a complementary therapy for the treatment of asthma, the decision should be based on accurate information and informed, objective opinion - and made in consultation with your doctor. More...
A-Teams Australia-wide
July 2005
Taking the asthma management message to rural and remote Australia
In June the National Asthma Council (NAC) completed phase two of its A-Teams project (January through June) - the educational program backing the '3+ visit plan' for asthma care in general practice in June.
The ‘A’ (for asthma) Teams held asthma workshops around the country, discussing how to most effectively apply the principles of the 3+ Visit Plan.
The A-Teams comprise GPs and asthma educators with expertise in both practical care and peer education. Recruited from all parts of the country, the four to 10 person teams were formed, on a state by state basis, in response to a formal evaluation of the asthma 3+ Visit Plan. More...
IPCRG 3rd World Conference
June 2005
The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) in association with Lunger i Praksis, will hold the 3rd World IPCRG Conference in beautiful Oslo, Norway from 8 - 11 June, 2006.
Planning for the conference is now well underway and the organising committee has chosen Respiratory Disease in Primary Care - Quality of Care as the theme. This outstanding event, hosted by the National Asthma Council in 2004, is set to continue the excellent level of presentation and interest experienced in Melbourne.
The conference is aimed at all primary care health professionals with an interest in respiratory health, including general practitioners, pharmacists, respiratory nurses, practice nurses, educators and researchers. Topics will cover all facets of respiratory medicine including asthma, allergy, chronic lung disease, tuberculosis, pneumonia, infectious diseases and cough. More...
New 'Flu Education Materials
May 2005
The National Asthma Council has pooled its resources, together with those of the National Heart Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Asthma Foundations of Australia and the Australian Lung Foundation, to produce a comprehensive set of information materials about influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
The material clearly explains the role of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations for people with asthma, COPD, heart disease and diabetes for health professionals and consumers.
Roles of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in subgroups with asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease is the 12 page health professional information paper.
VACCINE UPDATE for people with asthma, COPD, heart disease or diabetes. Should YOU have the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines? is the supporting 12 page consumer education brochure.
Both publications provide a definitive overview of the current Australian immunization guidelines for each of the four chronic conditions, including information on who should be immunized and who shouldn’t, backed up by the latest research, including current Cochrane reviews. More...
Spirometer Users' and Buyers' Guide
April 2005
The National Asthma Council, with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, has published a guide to spirometry use and purchase on the website.
The Spirometer Users' and Buyers' Guide was written by Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Scientists (ANZSRS) members Dr Debbie Burton, Assoc. Prof. David P. Johns and Ms Maureen Swanney.
The guide aims to give GPs and others performing lung function testing all the essentials on fundamental aspects of lung function testing. It also covers such practical issues as the Medicare rebate and SIPs, and involvement of the practice nurse as well as infection control, quality assurance and criteria for spirometer performance. More...
Asthma Information Papers and Brochures
March 2005
Health professionals and people with asthma will shortly have access to a range of the latest evidence-based information on the problems associated with asthma, including allergies, pain relief, diet in early childhood and many other issues.
The National Asthma Council, the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and the National Asthma Reference Group have developed a series of information papers and brochures to assist people with asthma, their carers and health professionals, to better manage the condition and enjoy improved quality of life. More...
Asthma and Combination Therapy:
Getting the Balance Right
February 2005
Satellite Broadcast, March 30 2005
The advent of the long-acting bronchodilator medications has provided better symptom control for people with asthma already on maximum doses of inhaled corticosteroids. Combination therapy has been very useful for reducing breakthrough symptoms, particularly at night.
However, anecdotal evidence and reports exist of the prescribing of unnecessarily high doses of combination medication, and of lack of regular review of doses and efficacy. More...
Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergy and Asthma
January 2005
Complementary health care in Australia also involves allergy and asthma management. In addition to complementary medicines and therapies, there are a number of unconventional tests that have been advocated in the diagnosis and treatment of allergy, asthma and immune disorders.
The Cochrane Collaboration has reviewed some complementary therapies for asthma but there is currently limited evidence to make a recommendation on their use (based on the selection criteria used by the Cochrane review). More...
Content Updated 2005
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