Published on: 9 September 2024
Did you know that asthma is the most common long-term medical condition affecting children and young people? Nationally, 1 in 11 children and young people are affected by the condition, and around 6,000 children and young people are living with asthma in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
This year the #AskAboutAsthma campaign runs from 9-15 September, raising awareness of asthma in children and young people, ahead of the rise in asthma attacks in September when students go back to school after their summer holidays.
In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, asthma services are offered to support children and young people, and their families and carers, to understand how to manage their condition so they can live full lives, without missing out. Asthma can be difficult to diagnose during childhood, but early diagnosis of asthma is key to ensuring children and young people can access appropriate care and management and avoid hospital admissions.
Dr Louise Bramble, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: "Recognising and appropriately treating asthma in children and young people is crucial for allowing them to live their lives to the fullest without being held back. Ensuring your child has an annual asthma review at their GP surgery is vital to make sure they receive the best possible care."
Asthma should not limit children and young people’s lives in any way and good asthma control means having no symptoms.
#AskAboutAsthma promotes getting these four asks in place:
1. get an asthma action plan in place
2. understand how to use inhalers correctly
3. schedule an asthma review every year and after every attack
4. consider air pollution and its impact on lung health – every asthma conversation should include indoor and outdoor air pollution
For more information on managing Asthma: #AskAboutAsthma 2024 - Transformation Partners in Health and Care
