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On 17 September, women living with asthma took their experiences to Parliament House, sharing their stories directly with Parliamentarians in the hope of driving much-needed change.
With Asthma Australia Ambassador Liz Ellis AO by their side, women spoke about what it is like to have their asthma symptoms dismissed or misattributed to anxiety, ageing or hormonal changes – and the impact this can have on getting the right support and care.
For some women, asthma can change at different stages of life, including puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. Yet the relationship between hormones and asthma is often overlooked or dismissed, which can delay diagnosis and effective management.
Around 1 in 5 adult Australian women live with asthma, and women make up 61 per cent of Australian adults with asthma. Women are also reported to be twice as likely to die from asthma as men, while asthma is the leading cause of disease burden among girls under 15.
These women and girls came to Parliament to make sure their experiences are heard – and to call for change that recognises the unique ways asthma can affect women throughout their lives.
The change we’re calling for
As part of She Needs to Breathe, Asthma Australia is calling on the Australian Government to:
- Incorporate respiratory health into existing women’s health assessments.
- Ask the Ministerial Expert Panel on Women’s Health to examine asthma as a distinct women’s health issue.
- Explicitly recognise asthma in women’s health policy.
- Increase awareness, research and attention to the relationship between hormones and asthma.
Thank you to the women who shared their stories, and to everyone who came together to support She Needs to Breathe. By listening to women with asthma and recognising their lived experiences, we can help create meaningful change so women’s asthma is better understood, taken seriously and managed effectively.
See some moments from the day below.
Tony Pasin MP Kate Miranda Liz Ellis Dr Mike Freelander MP
Liz Ellis speaking
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Women, Rebecca White speaking at the event
Liz with women with asthma
Tony Pasin speaking
Kate speaking
L to R: Kate Miranda CEO, Fiona Morrison constitutent, Minister Butler, Liz Ellis Asthma Australia Ambassador, Steve Morris Board Member, James Wright Board Chair
Group shot in front of Parliament
Liz Ellis and young girls with asthma
Group Photo at Parliament
Liz Ellis with Senator Anne Ruston
Board, Kate Miranda, Liz Ellis and Rebecca White
