Lead Articles

IPCRG 2nd World Conference

The IPCRG is a network of primary care/GP groups worldwide that was established in 2000 in the UK and now includes 23 member nations. The inaugural conference took place in Amsterdam in 2002. The IPCRG 2nd World Conference being held at the Sofitel, Melbourne from 19-22 February, is designed to provide up-to-date, best-practice information on the latest in respiratory care for GPs and other health professionals working in general practice and allied primary care settings. The program covers asthma, COPD, allergy and rhinitis, lung cancer, TB and other respiratory infections in a friendly and collegial setting. More...

IPCRG 2nd World Conference
Official Conference Opening, 19 February

Dr Ron Tomlins
Chairman of the National Asthma Council and
Chairman of the IPCRG Conference Organising Committee

It is my great pleasure to welcome so many colleagues in primary care respiratory medicine from so many countries to the IPCRG 2nd World Conference 2004. It is a reflection of the wide membership of the IPCRG that so many of you have travelled so far to be here. We thank you for your tremendous support and your commitment to making the IPCRG work as a worldwide network. As the Chairman of the National Asthma Council, host of this conference on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, I would like to welcome you formally to ‘the Land Downunder’! More...

SARS war - defending the frontline

Associate Professor P Y Cheong, from Singapore, gave an absorbing and comprehensive presentation about how SARS impacted on Singapore. With SARS spreading at the speed of a plane, Dr Cheong explained how the SARS virus came from a single hotel-room resident in Hong Kong and cost Singapore some $8 billion.

Temperature was the only defence and with the knowledge that the incubation period was 10 days, medical teams worked 10 days on and 10 days off. More...

World Asthma Day - May 4, 2004

Australia continues to lead the way in asthma management and education, according to an international study titled ‘The Global Burden of Asthma’. The study reveals that the education and management programs developed and put into action by the National Asthma Council, Asthma Foundations of Australia and other Australian organisations in asthma have proven effective and can be adapted by other countries. More...

Colds, 'Flu and Analgesics

Give some thought to prevention

Droplets of fluid from your nose or mouth spread cold and influenza viruses to other people. To prevent this transfer:

keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth,
use paper tissues to blow your nose and throw them away after use,
wash your hands thoroughly with soap after blowing your nose, after covering your mouth for a cough or sneeze, and before preparing or eating food,
do not share cups or cutlery with other people (especially if they are showing cold or 'flu symptoms.

More...

National Asthma Council on the Web

The National Asthma Council website has been in operation since 1996. Traffic has increased over the NAC site in line with increased use of the Internet, particularly for the provision of health information (see May Newsletter).

From the capture of postcode information in our web feedback, the NAC website is accessed right around Australia from Arulen to York Town, as well as internationally. More...

Spirometry Handbook Update

Spirometry - The Measurement and Interpretation of Ventilatory Function in Clinical Practice, was originally published in 1995.

The handbook web version is one of the most accessed areas on the NAC website. Developed as introductory information to guide those involved in the performance and interpretation of spirometry, this popular resource has been updated recently for the web by the authors Associate Professor David P. Johns (respiratory scientist, Tasmania) and Professor Rob Pierce (respiratory physician, Melbourne). More...

Review of Public Health Interventions for Asthma

An excellent evidence-based review of public health interventions for asthma has been published by the Victorian Government Department of Human Services.

Information provided in the publication will enable primary care services to undertake better informed planning, development and provision of asthma prevention, education and management services to the Victorian community. Notwithstanding the specific regional focus, the report has strong relevance Australia-wide. More...

Making the most of your Environment this Spring

For those people who suffer from asthma and allergy, it is a time to be aware of allergen exposure. Allergens are common asthma triggers, and where appropriate, you may benefit from simple avoidance strategies that you can practise every day.

Advice on effective strategies is an essential part of managing allergic asthma. More...

Asthma and the First Six Years of Life

Researchers in Canada studied the health of all children born in the Province of Manitoba during the ten years between 1980 and 1990. Some 170,960, children from birth to six years, along with the mothers and siblings had their health records reviewed.

Dr Nicholas Anthonisen, of the University of Manitoba, and his colleagues found a relationship between an increasing number of siblings and a protective effect against asthma in the group.

By the age of 6 years, 14.1% of children had a diagnosis of asthma. By determining the family history of disease and exposure to infections the researchers also found that the incidence of asthma was higher in boys than in girls, and in those with family history of allergic diseases. More...

Medications and the Older Person

Once you reach an older age, each passing year seems to bring an extra medication to add to your bathroom shelf. For an older person taking multiple medications, a Home Medicines Review (HMR) offers the opportunity to "take stock".

The HMR service was established in 2001 for older people living at home in the community. It entails the local pharmacist coordinating the process of a home visit by an HMR Accredited Pharmacist, and following up with the GP, in the comprehensive review of the older person’s medication regimen. More...

Collaboration has Positive Impact

Fewer Australians are dying from asthma, with the number of deaths from the condition falling to 314 in 2003 from 397 in 2002. This equates to a substantial decrease of 21%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

While spending time with family and friends over the festive season, it is an opportunity to reflect upon achievements and, more importantly, how to sustain the result. More...