Asthma

1. Asthma Mariam Saad, Brenna Wohlers

2. What is asthma? • Asthma is a condition characterized by inflammation of the airways, which causes them to narrow and leads to difficulty in breathing. • Asthma can begin in any stage of life but is most likely to develop during childhood. Although there is no cure, most episodes can be easily controlled by a reliever, such as Ventillon.

3. Why is it a NHPA? • Responsible for 2.3% of the disease burden in 2010 • Was suffered by about 2.5 million Australian in 2007-08 • Most commonly reported long-term condition of 0-14 year olds and is the leading contributor to the burden of disease in this age group • Was the cause of 400 deaths in 2010 • Is one of the most frequent reasons for hospitalisation among children aged 0-9 • Has significant treatment costs

4. Biological Determinant • Excess body weight-individuals who are overweight have a higher risk of developing asthma • Genetic predisposition- people who have a family history of asthma are likely to develop the condition • Gender- up to the age of 15 males are more likely to develop asthma • Age- asthma is most common in those aged 0-24

5. Behavioral Determinant: • Smoking increases the risk of asthma. Exposure in the uterus (that is, having a mother who smokes) and during infancy to tobacco smoke may lead to an increased asthma risk

6. Physical Environment • Air quality- air pollution is a risk factor for asthma. Those living in major cities or near industrial areas may be at an increased risk • Work environment- exposure to pollutions in the workplace can increase the risk of asthma • Environmental tobacco smoke- environmental tobacco smoke, particularly in the younger years, is a risk factor for asthma • Housing- housing that does not have adequate ventilation may increase indoor pollution and increase and can increase the risk of asthma among the inhabitants

7. Social Determinant • Low socio economic status- low socio economic status groups are more likely to have asthma. This is most likely due to higher smoking rates and increased exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. • Early life experiences- mothers who smoke during pregnancy may elevate their Childs risk of developing asthma.

8. Direct Cost • Individual: - patient co-payments for health services and pharmaceuticals, and ambulance transport in the event of a severe attack • Community: Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

9. Indirect Cost • Individual: -lost income and cost of carers (especially for young children and older adults) • Community: -lost productivity and lost tax revenue

10. Intangible Costs • Individual: -missing school, sleep disturbances are more common among children with asthma and are associated with higher rates of school absenteeism. • -increased anxiety if attacks become more frequent or more severe than usual • -frustration at not being able to participate in certain physical and social activities • Community: -anxiety experienced by parents of young children with asthma and by family and friends of elderly sufferers, especially if they live alone

11. Asthma Friendly Schools Program • http://asthmafriendlyschools.org.au/home/index.php • VIC: http://www.asthma.org.au/ • The Asthma Foundation of Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation that has for 50 years provided advice, resources, education and training to people with asthma, their carers, Health Professionals, First Aiders and the community.

12. Sensitive Choice • http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/our-community/our-initiatives/sensitive-choice-program • Developed by the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) in response to consumer demand, the Sensitive Choice program encourages manufacturers and distributors to be asthma and allergy aware.

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