Asthma
Asthma Management Program
Asthma is a serious condition affecting more than 2 million Australians. It can cause recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. The Asthma Management Program aims to reduce the impact of asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), in Australia by encouraging proactive management and facilitating best practice treatments.
. Asthma cycle of care
. Asthma action plan
. Indigenous asthma action plan
.
. Asthma links
An evaluation of the program is currently underway through the University of Wollongong to inform future considerations of the Asthma Management Program.
Under the current phase of the Asthma Management Program (2009-10 to 2012-13), funding is being provided for a range of initiatives to help Australians with asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions achieve healthier lives. These initiatives include:
Asthma Child and Adolescent Program
The Asthma Child and Adolescent Program (ACAP) is a new initiative under phase three of the Asthma Management Program and aims to ensure schools and pre-school communities are better equipped in the management of asthma and other respiratory conditions.ACAP provides information and emergency response training not only for asthma but also for linked respiratory conditions such as allergy and rhinitis.
The program includes a focus on self-management in adolescents.
ACAP is being delivered nationally by Asthma Australia in partnership with state and territory asthma foundations.
For more information on the availability of staff training, contact your local asthma foundation on 1800 645 130. Top of page
Community Support Program
The Community Support Program (CSP) supports effective management of asthma and linked respiratory conditions in the community, and access to primary care.CSP offers services to the whole Australian community including the following priority target groups:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- people living in lower socioeconomic areas
- people in rural and remote communities and
- older Australians.
- supports improved self management of asthma and linked respiratory conditions
- supports family and health carers to manage and respond to asthma and linked respiratory conditions and
- increases community access to asthma information and primary care.
For more information, contact your local asthma foundation on 1800 645 130.
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GP and Allied Health Professional Asthma and Respiratory Education Program
The GP and Allied Health Professional Asthma and Respiratory Education Program provides best-practice asthma management education across Australia to primary health care practitioners - general practitioners and allied health professionals including practice nurses, Indigenous health workers, pharmacists and asthma educators.Workshops include information and training about best-practice care for asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions. Spirometry training courses are available to support practitioners to distinguish between asthma and linked conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Opportunities for training are provided through the Divisions of General Practice nationally. Training is conducted in major cities and in regional and rural areas through workshops including a range of interactive learning activities.
The program is managed by the National Asthma Council Australia. For further information, contact the National Asthma Council Australia on (03) 9929 4333.
Page last reviewed: 14 September 2010
