Lead Articles
A message from Senator Jan McLucas
December 2008
Asthma affects more than two million Australians, including 14 to 16 per cent of our children and 10 to 12 per cent of adults.
Asthma is a National Health Priority, and the Australian Government shares the National Asthma Council Australia's desire to minimise the risks and improve the quality of life for those with asthma through better monitoring and awareness, education and management strategies and programs. More...
Improving inhaler technique
November 2008
Many people with asthma or COPD who rely on preventer and reliever medications delivered via an inhaler to manage their conditions are not using their inhalers properly.
Experts estimate that up to 90 per cent of patients are misusing their inhalers resulting in poor medication delivery, which in turn can lead to reduced quality of life, more frequent and longer hospital stays and even an increased dependence on their medication. More...
Peak pollen season is now!
October 2008
Hay fever sufferers and people with asthma; beware - peak pollen season is now until late November, according to the latest asthma alert issued by the National Asthma Council Australia.
"There is so much hype at the start of spring about pollen-triggered asthma and allergy that many people don't realise that the real danger period is actually late spring and sometimes even early summer," warned Professor John Wilson, National Asthma Council Australia chairman. More...
Breathlessness in the Older Adult: is it asthma?
September 2008
This Rural Health Education Foundation program covers the differential diagnosis and management of asthma in older adults with breathlessness, with interrelated discussion of COPD. The distinction between asthma and COPD is important, even when they co-exist, as there are significant differences in the optimal management of each condition. Clinical case studies are used to frame the discussion. More...
Take asthma action in National Asthma Week
August 2008
The first week of September is National Asthma Week and the National Asthma Council Australia is urging the two million plus Aussies with asthma to make sure they have a current written asthma action plan.
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. More...
Winter: warm clothing, hot soup and a written asthma action plan
July 2008
As winter sets in common cold and flu viruses abound. For families that have a child with asthma, this is an especially stressful time of year because even a simple cold virus can trigger a major asthma attack.
While these exacerbations do not respond to increased inhaled corticosteroid doses children who are taking regular preventive medication should continue taking the same dose.
A comprehensive written asthma action plan for recognising and managing acute episodes is vital for children and their parents, not only during winter but throughout the year. More...
A-Team® scores an A+ at IPCRG
June 2008
The National Asthma Council Australia's A-Team® asthma education program has been internationally recognised for its innovative format and successful outcomes at the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) world conference in Seville in May.
Judi Wicking, well-known asthma educator and A-Team project officer, presented an abstract titled ‘The A-Team®: A national asthma education program, the Australian way' to a captivated audience of health professionals from around the world at the IPCRG conference. More...
Balancing the Benefits: Asthma and Combination Therapy Update
May 2008
Combination therapy in asthma management is the focus of the NAC's latest program with the Rural Health Education Foundation, supported by funding from an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca. The NAC has worked with the Rural Health Education Foundation for many years to develop medical education programs about asthma. These engaging panel discussions provide health professionals with an opportunity to review the latest health information in their own time while receiving continuing professional education recognition. More...
Asthma deaths rise in older Australians
April 2008
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the Australian asthma death toll jumped in 2006, with an additional 84 deaths being recorded compared to 2005 data.
The total number of deaths attributed to asthma in Australia in 2006 was 402.
The greatest increase in deaths occurred in the 70 plus age bracket, with 273 deaths recorded, compared with 191 in 2005.
This is an alarming trend that was identified by the National Asthma Council Australia in 2005 and one that it warns will only increase in line with our ageing population unless health professionals, carers and older people themselves take the threat seriously. More...
Advancing Asthma Where? Conference
March 2008
The biennial Australian Asthma Conference will take place from 20 - 21 October 2008 at the Australian Technology Park Sydney.
Building on the theme Advancing Asthma Where? the conference program will review the changing world of asthma in Australia and how the nation can work together to develop ideas and actions which will influence and inform future asthma agendas. More...
TSANZ 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting
February 2008
The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) will hold their 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre from 30 March to 2 April. More...
The 4th IPCRG World Conference: Building bridges among diversity
January 2008
The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) was founded in June 2000 and represents national groups of Primary Care Physicians who have a particular interest in respiratory medicine. The National Asthma Council is the member organisation representing Australia.
The 4th IPCRG World Conference to be held May 28 - 31, 2008 in Seville, Spain will build on previous conferences held in Amsterdam, Melbourne and Oslo. More...
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