Lung disease affects one in four Australians1 and is the second leading cause of death2, yet it struggles to receive the publicity, funding and support required to reduce its impact.
Lung Foundation Australia, together with the support of the Australian Government Department of Health, is working to change the future of lung disease in Australia by developing the first National Strategic Action Plan for Lung Conditions.
This national plan will define the priorities and actions required to improve lung health and reduce the impact of lung disease on individuals, the community and the economy.
About the Action Plan
This will be the first National Strategic Action Plan that has been developed to tackle the issue of lung disease in Australia through a holistic and coordinated approach that is supported by the Australian Government.
The development of a National Strategic Action Plan for Lung Conditions will define the steps required to improve awareness, education, diagnosis, treatment and research for lung disease. It will combine the efforts of patients, health professionals, researchers and politicians to acknowledge lung disease as a substantial health burden in Australia, and establish a platform to reduce the impact of lung disease and improve the outcomes for those affected.
Consultation: Have your say
We are inviting a wide range of individuals and organisations to be involved in the consultation process, including people with lung disease or caring for someone with lung disease, health professionals, research institutions, peak bodies, government and other relevant stakeholders and organisations.
The consultation process will begin with a survey which will be distributed in July/August 2018.
Advisory Group
An Advisory Group has been established to oversee the consultation process and development of the action plan. The group members are:
- Christine Jenkins, Respiratory Physician and Clinical Professor of Medicine, Concord Hospital and UNSW, NSW
- Kerry Hancock, General Practitioner, Chandlers Hill Surgery, SA
- Anne Holland, Physiotherapist and Professor, Alfred Health Clinical School, LaTrobe University, Vic.
- Guy Marks, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, NSW
- Deb Kay, Chairperson, Health Consumers Alliance of SA
- Sara McLaughlin Barrett, Thoracic Liaison Nurse Consultant, Monash Medical Centre, Vic.
- Adam Jaffe, Respiratory Paediatrician and Professor of Paediatrics, Sydney Children’s Hospital and UNSW, NSW
- Sarath Ranganathan, Respiratory Physician and Associate Professor, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Vic.
- Tanya Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, NSW
- Graeme Maguire, Specialist Physician and Professor, Baker IDI Central Australia and Monash University, Vic.
- Louise Papps, Respiratory Nurse Consultant, Black Swan Health, WA
- Judy Powell, Partnerships Manager, Lung Foundation Australia, Qld
For more information, please contact enquiries@lungfoundation.com.au.
References:
1 AIHW, 2016, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/australiashealth-2016/contents/chapter-3-leading-causes-of-ill-health
2 Lung Disease in Australia, 2014, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research