Around 2.7 million Australians (11% of the total population) live with asthma, that’s 1 in 9 Australians. This National Asthma Week (1-7 September) we are highlighting that with the correct diagnosis, support and management plan, asthma shouldn’t need to hold you back.
Last year there were 56,600 emergency department visits and 25,500 hospitalisations due to asthma. Going to hospital can often mean taking time off school or work and can be a stressful experience for both patients and their loved ones.
Data has highlighted that 80% of all hospital admissions due to asthma are potentially avoidable and 70% of all asthma deaths are avoidable.
Many people with asthma don’t take their preventative treatments regularly or with the correct technique. According to the National Asthma Council, up to 94% of patients do not use their inhaler device correctly. Further, only 32% of people with asthma have an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan.
An Asthma Action Plan is a written plan developed alongside your doctor to help recognise signs of worsening asthma and provides clear instructions on what to do in response.
Even if you don’t personally have asthma, there are steps that everyone can take to look out for their fellow Australians. These include learning Asthma First Aid, starting conversations about asthma at your workplace/school/community group and investigating common asthma triggers so that they can be limited if possible.
If you have any questions about asthma, Respiratory Care WA is here to help. We offer free, tailored asthma education and support services to people impacted by a respiratory condition and their parents, carers and loved ones.
If you would like to request an asthma education session with a Respiratory Care WA Respiratory Health Educator, please call us on (08) 9289 3600.
Meet our National Asthma Week Ambassadors
Meet our two National Asthma Week Ambassadors Hayley and Ciara.
Thank you WA
Livingston Medical Group Gnowangerup put up a wonderful display in their waiting room for National Asthma Week filled with blue balloons and asthma resources from Respiratory Care WA and National Asthma Council Australia.
Western Australia’s most iconic buildings and landmarks have also been illuminating in blue to shine a light on asthma and how it impacts 1 in 9 in our community.
We’d like to thank Main Roads Western Australia for lighting up the Matagarup Bridge, Mount Street Bridge, Sky Ribbon Bridge, Joondalup Drive Bridge, GFF Tunnel and the GNH Port Hedland Interchange Bridge.
Thank you to the City of Perth for lighting up Elizabeth Quay, Yagan Square, Trafalgar Bridge and Council House.
We’d also like to express gratitude to the Public Transport Authority for lighting up Perth Station and the teams at Optus Stadium and the Bell Tower.
