Australians ignoring lung health

New research shows the extent to which Australians are ignoring their lung health, with results revealing that one in three people do not consider their lungs to be important even though 50 Australians die of lung disease each day.

A Newspoll survey found that the majority of those surveyed (84% aged 35 and over) rated the health of their lungs as excellent, very good or good but one in three (36%) of them revealed they experience at least one of the signs of poor lung health.[iii]

The Lung Foundation is calling on Australians to "Show Us Your Lungs!" and take lung health seriously as the gap in peoples' perception of their lung health and the reality of their condition is of concern to medical experts and peak bodies in Australia.

Professor Christine Jenkins, Head of Airways Group, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Lung Foundation National Council member said "The survey results indicate that people aren't recognising signs of poor lung health and probably not speaking to their doctors about their symptoms.

"Australians have taken up the important public health messages as far as their heart and breasts are concerned, yet seem to be very slow to think about their lungs."

Professor Jenkins said the burden of lung disease is significant and growing with 2.6 million cases of lung disease in Australia, 350,000 hospitalisations and over 19,000 deaths related to the disease each year.

To help draw attention to these statistics and encourage people to check their lung health, The Lung Foundation has partnered with actor John Jarratt (star of Wolf Creek) to produce a 'cheeky' campaign that has also been supported by t.v. and radio personalities, Dr Harry Cooper and Dr John D'Arcy.

"The impact of lung disease in Australia is enormous" said John Jarratt, "having seen the statistics, I decided to get involved and warn people not to ignore the signs."

A total of 43% of Australians aged 35 and over say they experience at least one of the following symptoms of lung disease:

get breathless from walking up a small flight of stairs with between 8-12 steps
a chest infection at least twice a year
a new cough, a persistent cough, or their cough has recently changed, regularly cough up phlegm (not due to a cold or flu)
an unexplained ache in their chest or back area, or sometimes feel tightness in their chest or wheeze

Professor Jenkins urged people with symptoms to speak to their doctor about their lung health.

"Many lung diseases are treatable if they are properly diagnosed. Identifying the early signs of lung disease and acting early is important."

She also encouraged people to take a minute to complete the Lung Foundation's Lung Health Checklist on line at www.lungfoundation.com.au.

"Lung disease doesn't discriminate – it affects men and women, smokers and people who have never smoked, the old and the young," said Professor Jenkins.

The "Show Us Your Lungs!" campaign launched On Monday 10th October. It includes consumer information flyers and posters available in GP surgeries, a new community service announcement (CSA) and the campaign's creative and educational video content, featuring John Jarratt.

Mr William Darbishire, CEO of The Lung Foundation, says the unique approach for the campaign is intended to raise awareness and education around the importance of good lung health.

"While the campaign has a fun and cheeky element to it the aim is to promote a very real public health message and help reduce the rate of lung disease in Australia," said Mr Darbishire.

(Source: The Australian Lung Foundation)