National Asthma Week
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has urged Australians with asthma not to be complacent and to take control of their condition.
The first day of spring, 1 September, marked the start of National Asthma Week, and should serve as a reminder for people with asthma to make sure they have an up-to-date asthma action plan.
For more than two million Australians affected by asthma, spring brings an increased risk of asthma attack.
Each year, National Asthma Week is held to remind all Australians that asthma is manageable. This year, its theme – ‘Asthma can be serious – you can take control’ – highlights the importance of good asthma management.
Asthma is a serious condition, that affects more than one in 10 Australians. It can cause recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing – and, with severe asthma attacks, can sometimes result in death.
The good news is that asthma is manageable. People can take control of their asthma by working closely with their family doctor to develop a personalised action plan as part of an ‘Asthma Cycle of Care’.
A personal asthma action plan helps people recognise if their symptoms are getting worse and what action is required. People with an asthma action plan generally have better controlled asthma and fewer asthma symptoms.
The Australian Government has identified asthma as one of the nation’s eight national health priorities, and is committed to tackling the problem through a combination of prevention, treatment and management initiatives, including those funded through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
In addition, the Government provides $27.1 million under the Asthma Management Program for measures which include more training for GPs and health professionals on asthma management, as well as more community based support and education for people with asthma and their carers.
