One in every eight or nine Aussie kids has asthma.

That's one of the highest rates in the world, but despite our high rate of childhood asthma, most asthma info is aimed at adults, not kids - until now . . .

Check out: www.kidswithasthma.com.au

It's a brand new, interactive, kid friendly cyberspace that has just been launched by the National Asthma Council Australia.

There are no high tech big words, just simple, easy to understand facts and advice - plus a cool ‘Game Zone' where kids can take a virtual tour of different rooms to identify common asthma triggers such as the cat in the bedroom or pollens blowing in through the open window.

According to National Asthma Council Australia chief executive officer, Kristine Whorlow, the site fills a void in asthma education resources.

"Kids these days are really smart," she said. "We need to talk to them - not just their parents - and encourage them to understand and manage their asthma from an early age. The best way to do this is to give them good information and advice in a language they will understand and in a format that will entertain.

"Asthma can be a very scary condition but the most important thing to understand is that it can be controlled. This website empowers kids to control their asthma, not the other way round."

http://www.kidswithasthma.com.au/ also features a series of fact sheets for kids and their carers covering all-things asthma-related, including basic facts, diagnosis, asthma medications, management and FAQs. Seasonal updates will also be posted to the site each quarter.

The Kids With Asthma website content has been developed by the National Asthma Council Australia with the support of an unrestricted educational grant from Merck, Sharp and Dohme.

For further information, or to arrange an interview with a National Asthma Council Australia spokesperson, please contact:

Kelly Ward Ward Communications Pty Ltd;
T. 03 9744 1855 M. 0407 860 834
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