1800 278 462
Asthma Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s investment in health literacy, with a significant funding boost aimed at improving asthma management among children and young people through parent education.
As part of a broader $37.5 million national investment in consumer health literacy and health professional education, Asthma Australia has received $1.47 million to implement a national asthma health literacy campaign targeting families of children with asthma.
The campaign, underpinned by evidence-based research and behavioural change principles, seeks to disrupt misconceptions about asthma management and equip parents with the knowledge and tools to take a proactive approach to their child’s asthma care.
Asthma Australia CEO Kate Miranda said the initiative would help address the alarming number of preventable asthma hospitalisations among children in Australia.
“Too many children in Australia are living with poorly controlled asthma, experiencing preventable symptoms that impact their quality of life, school attendance, and long-term health. This program
will empower parents with the right information and support to make better decisions about asthma management for their children,” Ms Miranda said.
Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon. Mark Butler MP, welcomed the initiative, reinforcing the importance of improving health literacy to reduce preventable hospitalisations.
“We know that better health literacy leads to better health outcomes. Through this funding, we are ensuring that parents and caregivers have the knowledge they need to keep their children safe and reduce unnecessary emergency visits due to asthma,” Minister Butler said.
The campaign, titled ‘Attack Asthma’, will use innovative and disruptive marketing techniques to engage parents and caregivers, shifting attitudes and increasing motivation to adopt preventive asthma care strategies. It will focus on addressing three key barriers identified in Asthma Australia’s research:
- Disrupting apathy and complacency around asthma management by increasing awareness of
the risks of unmanaged asthma. - Correcting misconceptions about asthma care, including the appropriate use of preventer
medication and inhaler techniques. - Challenging stigma and poor self-concept in children with asthma, encouraging open
conversations and proactive self-management.
Leveraging existing services such as the 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) information and support service, Asthma Australia’s website, and a new Asthma in Children microsite, the campaign will provide accessible and reliable information for families navigating their child’s asthma journey. The initiative aims to significantly reduce reliance on emergency care by promoting the use of Asthma Action Plans and preventive treatments.
Asthma in Australian Children – The True Impact
- Asthma remains a major health issue for Australian children:
- Approximately 386,000 children under 15 (8.2 per cent) have asthma.
- Asthma was the leading cause of disease burden for children aged 1-14 in 2023.
- 13,500 children under 15 were hospitalised for asthma in 2022-23.
- 43 per cent of all asthma hospitalisations were in children under 15 in 2022-23.
- Children under 15 are about three times more likely to be hospitalised for asthma than people aged 15 and over..
- Only 67 per cent of children had an Asthma Action Plan in 2022..
With many children missing school and experiencing long-term health consequences due to poorly managed asthma, this campaign aims to shift the dial on asthma education and prevention.
The campaign is set to roll out nationwide, with key activation events planned later this year and targeted seasonal pushes in 2025 and beyond.
“Asthma Australia is committed to halving potentially preventable asthma hospitalisations by 2030. This funding allows us to take a major step toward that goal by equipping families with the knowledge and confidence to manage asthma effectively,” Ms Miranda said.
The Asthma Australia Attack Asthma campaign is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology program.
For more information:
Contact Trinity Frederick, 0413 99 22 82
ABOUT
Asthma Australia is the nation’s peak body representing more nearly 2.8 million Australians living with asthma. We’ve been here since 1962 and even though a lot has changed since then, asthma
continues to claim a life each day and is the number one health condition burdening Aussie children. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways, restricting airflow and can be fatal. There is no cure, but most people with asthma can experience good control.