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Do your asthma patients struggle with medical costs?
A James Cook University Study found that adults with asthma spent more than double on household out-of-pocket healthcare than those with no health condition. The researchers also found more than one-third of people with asthma could not afford the treatment they needed.
National Asthma Council Australia Director and pharmacist, Stephen Hughes said that asthma costs can be a significant monthly burden as medications are required to be taken regularly. However, he said that asthma can be kept under control with less of a bite being taken out of the pocket.
Stephen says: 'When you are feeling well, it is easy to rationalise skipping doses of medication to save money. What is well known is that taking your preventer regularly helps to keep you at work and out of hospital'.
See our Top 10 ways to save money with asthma
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New COPD educational program
NPS MedicineWise has launched a new educational program on COPD for consumers and health professionals. Health professionals can receive updates on diagnostic issues and optimal use of medicines for COPD to help patients with the condition manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
The following tools and resources have been developed in conjuction with us:
- Inhaler device checklist
A handy inhaler device checklist to help you identify each inhaler and check (or teach) patient inhaler technique for specific types of inhalers
- Getting ready for spirometry
A factsheet to ensure patients are adequately prepared for spirometry testing
Check out the NPS MedicineWise website
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First Australia and New Zealand pulmonary rehab guidelines launched
Lung Foundation Australia has developed and launched the first-ever pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines for Australia and New Zealand, providing health professionals with evidence-based recommendations that will help improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions for patients with chronic lung disease.
Written by a team of experienced cardiorespiratory physiotherapists led by renowned physiotherapist Professor Jennifer Alison, the guidelines have been endorsed by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ).
View the Guidelines
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'Foods that Do Good' program expanded
Dairy Australia's 'Foods That Do Good' communication program provides health professionals with accessible, evidence-based and holistic nutrition information.
New content has recently been added focusing on digestive problems, including lactose intolerance.
See the website
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Recall of EpiPen 300
All EpiPens (with the exception of EpiPen Jr) that have an April 2017 expiry date are being recalled due to a possible defect which may result in difficulty activating the device in an emergency.
The recall is being conducted by Alphapharm in consultation with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA).
See the Recall Notice
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Need translated resources for your patients?
The Health Translations Directory, partnered with the Department of Health & Human Services, State Government of Victoria, is a website providing direct links to resources hosted on third party websites, giving reliable and translated health resources produced in Australia.
More information
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CEO attends global chronic respiratory disease meeting
Our CEO, Kristine Whorlow AM, attended the WHO Global Alliance against chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) in Geneva. Leading respiratory organisations from Tunisia, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Russia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Poland, Vietnam, Finland, Lisbon, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Turkey, Pakistan as well as WHO, IPCRG and the Global Asthma and Allergy Patient Platform are members. This meeting of the Executive and Planning Committees was held to revitalise GARD and proved to be very constructive, with a program of activities now being prepared. GARD has generated or is involved with a number of demonstration projects which are either disease specific projects or integrated with non-communicable diseases.
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Vale Ron Brittain AM
We are greatly saddened by the passing of Mr Ron Brittain AM, who died earlier this week. Ron was one of the founders of a group in the late 1980's which developed the first national consumer campaigns that in turn led to the formation of our organisation. At that time, Ron was also the CEO of the Asthma Foundation of NSW, a position he held for 15 years.
Ron had served on our Board as Director, Treasurer, and as its second Chairman, the only layperson to serve as such. Ron received his AM for services to asthma.
He was an absolutely dedicated and hardworking board member and we cannot thank him enough for his kind, courteous, constructive and wise counsel. He will be missed.
Read more
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Upcoming conferences and events
April
15th World Conference on Public Health
3-7 April
Melbourne, Australia
More information
14th National Rural Health Conference
26-29 April
Cairns, QLD, Australia
More information
May
Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA)
2017 Conference 'State of the Art'
4-6 May
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
More information
American Thoracic Society Conference
13-18 May
San Francisco California USA
More information
International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG)
5th Scientific Meeting
17-18 May
Ljubljana, Slovenia
More information
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