PDF printable version of National Asthma Week – Australians Urged to Take Control (PDF 18 KB)
1 September 2008
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today urged Australians with asthma not to be complacent and to take control of their condition.
Today, the start of National Asthma Week and the first day of Spring, should serve as a reminder for people with asthma to make sure they have an up-to-date asthma action plan.
Sadly, 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.
The program also includes $4.8 million to the Asthma Friendly Schools Program as part of the Government’s commitment to tackle the high rates of asthma in children. This national Program provides teachers, students and parents with the information and practical skills needed to recognise an asthma emergency and to take appropriate action.
National Asthma Week was first held in 1995 and starts from 1 September each year.
Media contact only: Mark Ward, 0437 125 938
For all other enquiries, contact Ms Roxon's office (02) 6277 7220
To view PDF (Portable Document Format) documents, you will need to have a PDF reader installed on your computer. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free of charge from Adobe's website.
