2012/2013 Annual Report

Asthma Australia
I would like to start by offering the
congratulations of Asthma Australia’s
Board and our National office team to
the Asthma Foundation WA for their
continued demonstration of excellence
in supporting people with asthma, for
exceeding the highest benchmarks set by raising
the profile of asthma throughout your State and
for the Foundation’s continued leadership of our
National agenda.
Many people in Government, the medical profession
and the general community including people with
asthma themselves believe asthma is under control.
However, current evidence highlights that asthma
self-management and control is sub optimal for
many people in the community and in particular
those people and communities that are hard to
reach. The economic impact for both the individual
living with asthma and the broader community is
substantial.
A proactive approach towards asthma selfmanagement
is seldom reported by the majority of
patients, with many experiencing daily symptoms,
struggling with medication adherence and feeling illinformed
and disempowered about their condition,
and the information received in the primary care
setting. Given these trends, it is not surprising that
each year across the country, too many people
are visiting emergency departments and avoidable
hospital admissions attributable to asthma remains
an issue needing to be tackled.
2012-2013 in Review:
A Strong and Proactive Partnership
The past twelve months has seen an increased
emphasis on working together with Asthma
Australia and Asthma Foundation WA is leading the
way in forging meaningful partnerships with people
with asthma, health practitioners and professionals,
corporate partners and donors.
The Asthma Foundation WA continues to deliver
the Australian Government’s Asthma Management
Program in collaboration with Asthma Australia and
the scope and reach of the program is commendable.
Western Australia’s continued push into regional
and remote communities leads our National push
for greater equity for those living outside of major
metropolitan centres. I commend the WA Health
Services team for their outstanding contribution to
the Adolescent and Child Asthma Program (ACAP)
and the Community Support Program (CSP).
Perhaps the greatest demonstration of Asthma
Foundation WA’s impact on the National stage is
their willingness to invest in the National Asthma
Research Program, which sees for the first time a
combining of all State and Territory activities under
one Nationally consistent program. The generosity
of the donors and corporate partners in your State
through the investment made by the Asthma
Foundation WA ensures that vital asthma research
can continue to be carried out across the country,
and Australia retains its place on the global stage
as a key contributing factor in the hunt for a cure
for asthma and improved ways of managing the
disease.
Western Australia was a large contributor to the
2013 Tackling Asthma Conference – the Next Five
Years. This National event was supported by both
the WA Foundation and a large contingent of
medical and community professionals. The National
Conference, hosted by Asthma Foundation ACT and
held in Canberra, highlighted the impact of Asthma
Foundations on a National scale and their capacity to
engage with people with asthma, particularly those
that are most disadvantaged in our community.
On behalf of Asthma Australia, please continue to
invest your time, energy and funds to support the
Asthma Foundation WA as a leader amongst our
National team.
Asthma Australia is the Nation’s peak asthma body.
For over 50 years, Asthma Australia and our eight
member Asthma Foundations have been delivering
high quality support to people with asthma and their
care givers. As one of the country’s largest and most
respected respiratory organisations and charities,
with offices and staff in every State and Territory
of Australia, Asthma Australia continues to deliver
evidence based, consumer focused, accessible and
appropriate services to over 200,000 Australians
with asthma every year.
Mark Brooke
CEO - Asthma Australia
Asthma Foundation WA Annual Report 2012-2013 18