Asthma Management Program receives $22 million boost

Yesterday, World Asthma Day was celebrated in Australia with the theme of “You Can Control your Asthma”.

It aims to raise awareness and improve asthma care.

The Rudd Government is supporting this aim with the investment of $22.6 million in funding for the next four year phase of the Asthma Management Program.

The Asthma Management Program aims to reduce the impact of asthma in Australia by supporting community education, active and safe self-management, and the provision of best practice training for care professionals.

Launching the next phase of the Program in Adelaide, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Mark Butler, said that asthma was one of the Australian Government’s National Health Priorities.

For the first time, the Asthma Management Program will include linked respiratory conditions such as allergy, rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Mr Butler said that the Asthma Management Program would strengthen ties between peak asthma and other respiratory health bodies and paid tribute to their hard work and dedication.

“We have not yet found a cure for asthma but we can work together to better manage the burden this condition places on so many Australians and our health system.”

The funding for this phase of the Program includes an allocation of $8.4 million to Asthma Australia to deliver community awareness through the Community Support Program and to provide training and information for staff in schools and, for the first time, pre-schools through the Asthma Child and Adolescent Program.

A further $2.4 million has been allocated to the National Asthma Council to provide best practice information and training to GPs and Allied Health professionals in the management of asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions.

For information and support for asthma management, contact your local Asthma Foundation on 1800 645 130.