Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting 10.6% of the population in NSW or more than 829,000 people.  The prevalence is higher in regional NSW than in the Sydney metropolitan area and, in 2022, asthma was the eighth leading contributor to the overall burden of disease in Australia.

Asthma is the leading cause of burden of disease (basically, the impact of living with disease and/or premature death) for children aged 5-14 in Australia, so it’s not to be sneezed at.

Thanks to the Pearl Sheppard Fund, Healthy Cities Illawarra have begun a renewed partnership with Asthma Australia for a new project called “Breathe Better in the Gong” – and it’s all about creating an Asthma Smart Community.

What is an Asthma Smart Community?

• Awareness of asthma is high within the community, people know what to do if someone is having a ‘flare-up’ or an attack.
• Awareness of asthma triggers are also high – knowing that smoke, moisture, certain smells or air quality can trigger asthma in neighbours and friends.
• Having the confidence to self-manage asthma – there is no cure, but most people with asthma can lead an active and healthy life if they are supported in self-management.

Ultimately, this project is about reducing the number of avoidable presentations to hospital.  Eighty per cent of hospitalisations due to asthma are preventable, so if we can help address this, we can not only reduce some of the burden and cost in the hospital system, but most importantly, ensure that people with asthma are happy and healthy, confident and thriving at school, work and play!

Working with schools

So far, Tarrawanna Public School, Hayes Park Public School and Illawarra Christian School have signed up to be a part of the project when it gets going in June 2024.  If your school or P&C are interested in learning more or getting involved, please email admin@healthycities.org.au  to express your interest.

Help with your asthma

Asthma Australia have a free information and support service staffed by qualified asthma educators.  The number is 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.