World Asthma Day Is May 6, 2008, Australia

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 24 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008, is World Asthma Day and the National Asthma Council Australia is urging the two million plus Australians with asthma to prepare, or update, their asthma action plans.

According to National Asthma Council Australia chairman, Professor John Wilson, asthma prevalence in this country is relatively high but we can minimise its impact through greater awareness and understanding.

"The theme of World Asthma Day this year is 'you can control your asthma' and, the best way to control asthma is to have an up-to-date written asthma action plan," Prof Wilson said.

These written instructions help people with asthma, as well as their family, carers and neighbours, recognise how to tell if asthma symptoms are getting worse, and what action to take.

"Research shows that written action plans keep people with asthma in control of their condition. They are better equipped to recognise deterioration of their symptoms and can respond appropriately," Prof Wilson said.

Unfortunately, many Australians with asthma do not have a written asthma action plan, despite evidence that shows that asthma self-management programs that involve a written action plan have a greater reduction in hospitalisation than those that do not.1

"People who have a written action plan have better controlled asthma, fewer asthma symptoms and fewer days off work or school because of asthma.

"In the same way that daylight savings signals the time to change your smoke alarm battery, World Asthma Day is the time to make a resolution to consult your GP and prepare a written plan, or if you already have a plan, make sure it is up-to-date," Prof Wilson urged.

Poorly managed asthma can be fatal. According to the latest statistics, 402 Australians died from asthma in 2006.

"There is no cure for asthma, but asthma deaths are preventable - we just need to continue to take it seriously."

Sample asthma action plans can be downloaded from the National Asthma Council Australia website: www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/management/action_plans/ap005.asp

Reference

1. Gibson, P. G., J. Coughlan, et al. (2000). "Self-management education and regular practitioner review for adults with asthma." (2): CD001117.

National Asthma Council Australia