Asthma Australia is urging all political parties to prioritise the health of children on the Central Coast by supporting the Healthy Futures for Kids with Asthma program, which aims to reduce hospital admissions for children with asthma and improve their quality of life.
A study from the University of NSW has identified several areas within the Central Coast as childhood asthma clusters; groups of neighbouring areas where the proportion of children up to the age of 14 years asthma is higher than the national average of 6.3% reported in the 2021 Census.
Asthma Australia has reached out to Coast MPs highlighting the need for targeted support and intervention.
Areas specified as having a high prevalence of asthma among children aged up to 14 include: Gorokan-Kanwal-Charmhaven (10.66%); Blue Haven-San Remo (10.37%); and Warnervale-Wadalba (9.67%).
The Healthy Futures for Kids with Asthma Program is designed to provide additional, targeted support for families and children with asthma, aiming to reduce hospital admissions and improve health outcomes.
Asthma Australia is calling on all political parties to include funding for the program in their healthcare policies.
The program aims to: strengthen connections between hospitals, general practitioners, schools, and families to provide better follow-up care; improve asthma education for children, parents, carers, and schools to prevent flare-ups and hospital visits; and ensure children in high-risk areas have better access to affordable, quality asthma care.
Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory condition affecting children in Australia, with nearly 400,000 young people living with the condition in 2022.
It is also the costliest respiratory disease for primary healthcare with costs rising 50% from 2018-19 to 2022-23.
Managing a child’s asthma can be a huge financial strain on families, with the cost of doctor visits, medicines, and time off work adding up.
“Many neighbouring areas in the Central Coast have a higher proportion of children living with asthma compared to the national average, which increases demand and cost on the healthcare system,” Asthma Australia CEO Kate Miranda said.
“Our program is designed to meet this need—helping families manage asthma more effectively and keeping kids out of hospital.
“We urge all political parties to recognise the importance of this issue and commit to funding the Healthy Futures for Kids with Asthma program.”
Other asthma statistics on the Coast include: Wyoming 9.29%; Ourimbah-Fountaindale 9.19%; Tuggerah-Kangy Angy 8.66%; The Entrance 8.19%; Toukley-Norah Head 7.89; Wyong 7.86%; Niagara Park-Lisarow 7.67%; Narara 7.9%; Kariong 7.96%; Saratoga-Davistown 7.75%; Erina-Green Point 7.62%; Calga-Kulnura 7.54%; Woy Woy-Blackwall 7.06%; Kincumber-Picketts Valley 7.05%; Gosford-Springfield 6.92; and Point Clare-Koolewong 6.43%.
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