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Dear Friend,
I hope this finds you well, as we ease our way out of another lockdown in Western Australia. Each time there is a lockdown we as a community are more prepared to respond, yet it isn’t always easy. We hope the impact on you has been minimal and that this update provides you with some information and tools to prepare you for the months ahead.
The start to 2021 has been an interesting one, to say the least. If you or someone you know has questions about asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), please remember that we are here for you. Our experienced Respiratory Health Team is available on (08) 9289 3600 and can help you with understanding these respiratory conditions, medications, device technique, asthma first aid and more.
Today in particular is a special day - World Asthma Day. With the pandemic still present and winter almost upon us, we wanted to take a moment to flip the conversation and look at some potential silver linings of COVID-19 and share with you some learnings.
We hope you enjoy this read and wish you all the best in health as we head into the colder months of the year.
Warmest wishes,
Donna Rendell
Chief Executive Officer
Asthma WA
Hospital rates down last year, but can we repeat it this year?
Some good news! Recent figures have shown a drop in presentations of people with asthma and COPD to Western Australian hospitals last year, but on World Asthma Day (today) we are heeding caution.
Australia has the highest prevalence of asthma in the world for adults aged 18-45, so with winter coming, we want to remind people with respiratory conditions of the importance of being prepared for the season ahead. Asthma can go from mild to life-threatening in minutes, so it is critical that your condition is well managed throughout the entire year.
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations
If you have a chronic respiratory condition such as asthma or COPD we strongly recommend both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations for 2021.
The seasonal influenza vaccine program has already begun for the year and the Australian Department of Health recommends a minimum of 14 days between getting the influenza vaccination and the COVID-19 vaccination (regardless of if it is your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine).
Message from our Patron
We are deeply honoured and appreciative of the support we receive from our Patron, The Governor of Western Australia, the Honourable Kim Beazley AC. On this World Asthma Day, we are delighted to share a heart-warming message from the Governor with his hopes for not only Asthma WA but for the people of Western Australia living with asthma and COPD.
Stay Well this Winter
Winter is almost here and for many people with asthma and other respiratory conditions, it can mean an increase in symptoms and the risk of flare-ups. So, to help you and your loved ones stay well this winter, we would like to share with you our new Winter Checklist and other useful resources.
If you have any questions about asthma or COPD, medications, device technique or asthma first aid, call our Respiratory Health Team on (08) 9289 3600 to book a FREE education session.
Greek Orthodox Easter
This past weekend was Greek Orthodox Easter. Our Clinical Nurse Educator, Kate, celebrated with her family and has shared some photos (and a tasty recipe) of the event along with the background behind this colourful and exciting tradition.
One very popular tradition is the cracking of red-dyed eggs with family and friends. The eggs are dyed red on Holy Thursday (the Thursday before the resurrection service).
Family and friends will crack the eggs with each other and proclaim “Christos Anesti” which means ‘Christ is Risen’.
The cracking of the red eggs has its own symbolism. The hard shell of the egg symbolises the sealed tomb of Christ, while the cracking means that the tomb has been broken and that Christ has been resurrected from the dead.
Read more about this tradition and also discover Kate's family recipe for the sweet Easter biscuits, Koulourakia.
Smoke Tracking Study – Participants Needed
With smoke impacting most of Perth across the past two weeks, can you assist the WA Department of Health to track how smoke moves and how it affects people’s health in Perth and the South West?
AirTracker is a free smartphone app (accessed through your preferred internet browser). Using this app, you are asked to record when you see and/or smell smoke, and if you are experiencing any health symptoms. The information you share will help the Department of Health to better understand how frequent and widespread the problem of smoke from landscape fires may be.
More information on how to be involved can be found on our Asthma (Smoke) Alert page on our website.
Join our Legacy Leaders and leave a gift in your Will
By leaving a gift in your Will to Asthma WA, you will be helping generations to come, ensuring we are able to continue providing free education and support to Western Australians with respiratory illnesses.
A bequest could help fund vital projects including:
- Ensuring our Paediatric Respiratory Hub can keep providing the life-changing assessment, diagnosis and tailored education for young children with asthma and other respiratory conditions
- The expansion of Asthma WA’s free education and support programs
- The sustainability of our free services for all Western Australians in person or remotely
- Investment in relevant technology to reach people across the state of Western Australia
If you would like to talk in person and in confidence about Wills in general, please get in touch with our Bequest Team by calling (08) 9289 3600 or emailing bequest@asthmawa.org.au.
For more information about leaving a gift in your Will or to speak to our probono legal partner, Lavan, visit our website.
Help shape future COPD services with your feedback
The WA Department of Health would like to hear about the experiences of adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Your feedback will help develop services to support high-quality care closer to home.
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous.
Survey closes 14 May 2021.
Busted! Two Rocks Primary School
We were delighted to hear recently that Two Rocks Primary School held a Bust Out in Blue day for their school community, to raise awareness of asthma while also supporting the work we do here at Asthma WA. Thank you so much to everyone involved for your wonderful donation!
If you would like to know more about how you can Bust Out in Blue too (schools, workplaces, anyone can do it!) visit our website, call our Community Engagement Team on (08) 9289 3600 or email community@asthmawa.org.au.
- Pharmacy 777 for supporting the Asthma Cycle of Care video
- Flo Nasal Health for helping us to promote World Asthma Day 2021
- World Asthma Day – Wednesday 5th of May
- Mother’s Day – Sunday 9th May
- National Volunteer Week – 17-23 May
- Food Allergy Week – 24-30 May
- National Sorry Day – Wednesday 26th May
- World No Tobacco Day – Monday 31st May
- National Reconciliation Week – 27 May – 3 June
- Men’s Health Week – 14-20 June
- World Allergy Week – 13-19 June
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