| As Company
Secretary/Executive Officer of the Asthma Foundation of
Victoria for nearly 18 years,(1969-1987), I had the opportunity of seeing at
first hand the problems that asthma causes and I also had the
opportunity of being involved with the preventive, educational and
research aspects of the disease. The Foundation during my time had an Advisory and Assessment Centre to which doctors could refer their patients for assistance with family, employment, and schooling problems. The Centre was staffed by a Thoracic Physician, a Social Worker and an Employment Officer. It was not a Treatment Centre. A Medical, Social and Employment report was forwarded to the Doctor or Hospital referring the patient for the service. After a number of years the service was changed to one of community education on the subject. Weekly night sessions for the public were conducted with Physicians and Allergists lecturing. Audio-visuals were shown and a question and answer session conducted. This helped patients understand how to manage their asthma in conjunction with their doctor and hospital treatment. I was always in attendance at those education sessions. It was a delight to see how helpful they were for the attenders better understanding and how important it was for them in carrying out their management in mild, moderate or severe life-threatening attacks. Here are some facts about Asthma:(From Asthma Victoria)
Over 600,000 Victorians have asthma, nationally over two million people have this chronic condition and the trend is doubling every 15 years. One in four primary aged children have asthma. One in seven adolescents have asthma. One in ten adults have asthma. Asthma is the most common reason for childhood admission to hospital. 40% of the population are allergic - that's 7.4 million Australians - with 10% of the overall population, and up to 25% of children, having asthma. Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and adolescents and the prevalence is growing at 1% each year. The cost to the Australian community is estimated to be in excess of $720 million pa, the cost to companies through absenteeism of those with asthma is $110 million per year and the cost of carer absence is in excess of $120 million per year. The cost to children is paramount, as vital schooling is missed. Asthma is the most common cause of absenteeism in school. Asthma ranks in the top ten reasons for seeing a General Practitioner(doctor). Exposure to allergens such as dust mites, pollens and moulds increase the risk of chronic allergy and asthma later in life. Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be managed. Education and understanding are the key to good asthma management. |