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Asthma Australia wants to know more about what life is like for Tasmanians experiencing breathing problems and asthma. Our brand new ‘2023 Tasmanian Asthma Discovery Survey’, will launch on 1st April and run through until June, to gather the stories of people with asthma so that we can support them with programs that will help at risk communities.
Asthma Australia, the peak body for asthma across Australia, wants to understand more about what’s keeping 2.7 million people living with the chronic respiratory condition short of breath.
Everyone experiences asthma differently. We know that during winter in Tasmanian, woodfire heaters commonly trigger asthma.
Our discovery mission is to speak to people with lived experience across Tasmania, and their carers, about living with asthma. What works in managing their asthma? What challenges do they face? How could their quality of life be improved? What solutions and tools could we explore?
Asthma Australia Project Coordinator Jess Tyler says “I am passionate about supporting my local communities and I know that people experiencing asthma in Tasmanian often have specific needs. Asthma Australia wants to take this opportunity to learn more about personal journeys with asthma across our state.
“If you have asthma or breathing problems, care for someone who does, or work in this space, we are interested in hearing your story.”
“Listening to voices of people with asthma and their carers is at the very heart of what Asthma Australia strives to do,” Asthma Australia CEO Michele Goldman said. “We are thrilled to be launching this discovery project and look forward to hearing from people right across Tasmania so that we can create solutions that make a difference in people’s lives.”
There are four ways you can take part and make your voice heard:
1) Do the quick and easy online survey at www.asthma.org.au/tasdiscovery
2) Send Jess a text on 0474 654 555 and she will call you back (so that the call costs are on us)
3) Email Jess at: jtyler@asthma.org.au
4) Register your interest in attending one of the community discussion groups.
Case studies available:
Mary, 74: when the winter winds sweep into Tasmania and wood heater smoke fills the air, retiree Mary knows it’s time to keep her doors and windows sealed and guard her lungs until warmer weather returns. She was only recently diagnosed at age 72. This is known as adult-onset asthma.
Jude: Works as a paramedic in Hobart, responding to people in medical crisis, including asthma attacks. But when it came to acting on her own breathing difficulties, she admits she was partly in denial of having asthma, even to the point of being stubborn about treatment. Big wake-up calls came to Jude courtesy of two severe asthma flareups. In her 20s, she suffered a serious asthma flareup that left her struggling to breathe all day.
Toni: After a frightening asthma flare up, Toni called the 1800 ASTHMA information line for help. “I’ve sailed through a cyclone, but nothing was scarier than not being able to breathe,” she says.
Note: This project is being delivered in partnership with Healthy Tasmania Pty Ltd and is supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania (Tasmania PHN) through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program. The project was developed from learnings and ideas explored in Asthma Australia’s work in South Australia, which is funded by the Country SA Primary Health Network.
If you’d like to learn more about Asthma Australia’s Tasmania Asthma Discovery Survey, arrange an interview or local case study, please contact Trinity Frederick, Media & PR Manager at tfrederick@asthma.org.au.