Despite a drop in asthma deaths and a reduction in prevalence – asthma is still unnecessarily inhibiting more than 80% of people living with the condition.
Great progress has been made in the last 25 years in treating asthma and helping people manage their condition better. This year’s theme for World Asthma Day, which is held on the first Tuesday in May, is: it’s time to take control of your asthma. However, a recent survey conducted by Asthma Foundation NSW has revealed how many people are struggling to control their asthma and the significant impact asthma is still having on people’s quality of life.
“The results from our survey of more than 600 people illustrate that behind the improving statistics asthma is still having a major effect on the community,” said Michele Goldman, CEO of Asthma Foundation NSW.
Over 50% of adults reported taking time off work due to their asthma in the last year. Around half of these had taken up to 5 days, though almost 10% of all respondents took 20 or more days off work, which can cause challenges for both employers and staff. Some 80% of parents surveyed also took time off work to care for a child with asthma in the last year.
Missing work and reduced productivity due to asthma can have knock on effects for the individual. For one person their asthma led to them losing their job. Another respondent explained how difficult it was retaining full-time employment whilst living with asthma:
“I have never been able to sustain full time employment due to the effects and symptoms of [my] asthma”.
The survey also revealed the tremendous psychological and social effects asthma can have. People reported that without asthma they would be able to worry less about their health and the health of their children. Some just wanted to be able to do the simple things like sleep better, have more choice over career paths, exercise more and be able to laugh and have fun without fear of an asthma attack.
The survey also highlighted the huge effect asthma has on children’s lives with children taking an average 7 days off school or day care a year because of their asthma.
Parents also worried about what activities were safe for their children with asthma to participate in. Almost all parents (98%), felt anxious about allowing their child to take part in social or physical activities. This led to 30% of parents feeling their child has been limited in sport or play due to their asthma.
On parent explained; “[I worry] whether supervising adults could deal with an asthma attack”.
“Our results confirm that there are many people struggling to manage their asthma which is having a major physical, psychological, economical and social impact on people’s lives,” said Ms Goldman.
“If asthma is well-managed, people should be able to live full and active lives and achieve almost anything.
“We recommend that those who find asthma is affecting their work and personal lives should consult their GPs for a review of their condition and medication.”
During the month of May, people throughout NSW will be spending some extra time in their PJ’s to raise funds for life saving asthma research and to providelife changing asthma information for people living with asthma and those who care for them.
Pyjamas were chosen as the campaign symbol because asthma is a leading cause of absenteeism from school and work leading to people staying at home in their pyjamas.
Organising a PJ Day fundraiser is easy. People can learn more and register to take part by visiting www.asthmafoundation.org.au/PJDay
“We are very grateful to everyone who has registered their PJ Day event and hope they have a fun day for a good cause,” said Ms Goldman.
