Senator Trish Crossin today urged Territorians with asthma not to be complacent and to take control of their condition.
Date: 02 September 2008
Senator Trish Crossin today urged Territorians with asthma not to be complacent and to take control of their condition.
This week is National Asthma Week, which should serve as a reminder for people with asthma to make sure they have an up-to-date asthma action plan.
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 for the two million Australian sufferers.
In 2006, 402 people died where the underlying cause was asthma – an increase compared to 314 deaths in 2003. The prevalence of asthma in Australia is among the highest in the world. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have a higher occurrence of asthma than other Australian women, particularly those aged over 35 years.*
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’.
Asthma NT provides support and information for Asthma sufferers and their carers in the Northern Territory to help better control asthma.
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.
For more information and support on how to manage asthma, please contact the Asthma Foundation NT on 8981 6066.
*http://www.asthmamonitoring.org/asthma_aust05_html/Index.htm