Our 2022 Impact - Lung Foundation Australia

This year, with the support of our incredible community, we have seen a real and significant impact of our work in the lives of Australians living with lung disease or lung cancer, and the broader community. Lung Foundation Australia was recognised as the peak body for lung conditions in Australia by the Australian Government Department of Health; we launched the Lung Cancer Social Work service; collaboratively launched the Lung Learning Framework, the first of its kind in the world; received funding for Specialist Lung Cancer Nurses and a Respiratory Care Nurse; continued to build on the Hope Research Fund; and expanded our reach and awareness of the importance of early diagnosis.

Providing hope in every breath

Lung Foundation Australia is the only charity and leading peak body of its kind in Australia that funds ground-breaking research and delivers life-changing support services that give hope to the 1 in 3 Australians impacted by lung disease or lung cancer. Since 1990, we have been working to ensure lung health is a priority for all by promoting lung health and early diagnosis, advocating for policy change and research investment, raising awareness about the symptoms and prevalence of lung disease and championing equitable access to treatment and care.

Pictured: Lana (on right) with her grandmother Cass

Peak body for lung conditions

This year, our work was significantly boosted by the Commonwealth’s Health Peak Advisory Bodies Program funding. Our models of care have grown substantially, with an increase in the number of people we support, our influence, and the funding that we generate. We are very appreciative of your trust in us and for the tangible difference you make through your support. Read the full message in report.

View Impact Report

Hope through research

Our comprehensive research program is revolutionising our understanding of lung disease and lung cancer. It encompasses a multi-million-dollar grants and awards program, internationally renowned registries and impactful research partnerships.

Lung Foundation Australia’s Hope Research Fund is a10-year initiative that invests in life-changing lung disease and lung cancer research. With the help of our generous community, we are working to raise $50 million by 2030 to accelerate ground-breaking research that will save lives.

Progress so far:

$12 million donated to the Hope Research Fund

12 Hope Research Fund partnership grants awarded

3 collaborations with research institutions

Investing in the best and brightest researchers

As part of the Hope Research Fund, our awards and grants program identifies and encourages new, innovative research projects across a broad range of lung disease areas.

“The funding allows early career researchers like me to have time focused on doing important work in investigating how exercise can boost anti-viral immunity and reduce lung inflammation, to help prevent COPD flare-ups. I cannot proceed with this research without this funding, it is so essential.”

– Dr Arwel Jones, 2022 research award recipient.

Supporting patients and carers

Empowerment through information and support

Throughout this year our Information and Support Centre team have provided 3,166 people with education and guidance to help them live their best life. Over 1.6 million people visited our website for access to life-changing resources, support services and programs.

Creating community

For people living with lung disease and lung cancer, and their carers, connection through peer support programs offer a valuable source of connection and understanding. This year our peer support program continued to grow, with over 1,000 people now connected to one of our groups. These groups meet face-to-face, online, and over the telephone through one-to-one calls.

Expert nurse support

Our expert nurses provide support in navigating the often-challenging health system and arm people with the tools to live well with their condition. More than 700 people living with lung cancer and chronic lung conditions connected with the free nurse-led telephone service. Data shows people who participate in the program report significant improvements in self-management strategies and reduction in symptoms and psychological burden.

Supporting mental health

Knowledge is a powerful tool when living with lung disease or lung cancer. The Mind Matters hub brings together a range of useful resources aimed at helping people address the emotional toll of life with a lung condition. This year the Mind Matters hub, videos and webinars had over 17,700 views. The newly launched Social Work service which provides practical and emotional support, received 120 interactions in the first four months of its establishment.

On the ground support and care

Research shows having access to a specialist cancer nurse can significantly improve an individual’s health outcomes. In response to ongoing campaigning by Lung Foundation Australia and our consumer community, the Commonwealth Government announced milestone pilot funding for four Lung Foundation Australia Specialist Lung Cancer Nurses (SLCN). The nurses, who have begun work in New South Wales Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, form the foundation of a first-of-its-kind demonstration project. Additionally, the South Australian Government has funded three SLCNs, increasing the number of dedicated nurses nationwide to 48.

Pictured (left to right): Paula (SLCN), Anita (SLCN), Rachel (SLCN), Sofia (SLCN), Nicole (Lung Foundation Australia’s LCSN).

Progress so far:

specialist lung cancer nurses towards goal of 100

Increasing respiratory care

In conjunction with the funding for SLCNs, our campaigning efforts led to the South Australian government funding a Respiratory Care Nurse.

Supporting mental health

Launched in February 2022, our Social Work telephone service aims to help people with a diagnosis to navigate the practical and emotional challenges of living with lung cancer. An experienced social worker provides callers with information in areas including the impact on relationship and finances and coping with progression or recurrence.

40%

reported a decrease in psychological concerns from first to final appointment.

68%

reported accessing psychological support services.

100%

indicated that the service addressed their worries and needs.

Driving early diagnosis

Thousands of Australians unknowingly dismiss symptoms of lung disease and lung cancer as ageing or a lack of fitness while the disease progresses. Our national Lung Health Awareness Month Campaign encourages Australians experiencing symptoms to complete an interactive online Lung Health Checklist and speak to their GP.

“Since I did the survey, I have seen a lung specialist and I’m on a better track now. I am having further assessment and testing shortly, but I’m now more confident of a better breathing future.”

Glenda

Campaign highlights

65,399

people completed the Lung Health Checklist.

102

people were diagnosed with a lung condition.

2.3

million unique users were reached via social media.

3+ million

people were reached via radio advertising and community service announcements.

Optimising patient care

We are committed to ensuring healthcare professionals across Australia are well placed and well equipped to deliver the levels of care and support our community deserves.

Pictured: Lung Foundation Australia staff at a conference.

Together we achieved:

10,711

engaged health professionals.

3,801

registrations for health professional learning.

clinical committees and networks involved.

173,554

views of our 2 clinical toolkits.

Lungs in Action Instructors trained.

Lung Learning Framework

Primary care health professionals play a critical role in the early detection of lung disease and lung cancer. The first of its kind for respiratory health in the world, the Lung Learning Framework consolidates lung health knowledge and skills across the patient continuum. The framework aims to support them by providing best-practice standards for diagnosis, treatment and care.

Thank you

To those who supported Lung Foundation Australia during FY2022, thank you. The funds you allocated to our programs, the personal donations you made, and the hours you contributed to supporting our services had a real and significant impact on the lives of Australians living with lung disease and lung cancer.

Read our full 2022 Impact Report

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Please refer to the following link to access our previous Impact Reports.

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