Healthy air: Pollution advice for people with asthma

This project aims to synthesise, translate and disseminate the best available scientific evidence on the effectiveness of reduction measures on exposure to air pollution and health protection advice for people with asthma, with a particular focus on those socio-economically marginalised or disproportionally affected by the condition. The project incorporates extensive consumer engagement in the form of focus groups, roundtable discussions and interviews to understand the needs of people with asthma, including people from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, health professional and policy makers.

Air pollution from bushfires, cars and wood heaters can trigger symptoms and distress in people with asthma. As highlighted by the 2019/20 bushfires, there remains a critical lack of accessible tools, resources and advice empowering people with asthma to effectively reduce their air pollution exposure.

This project will translate findings from available evidence and consumer engagement into accessible advice with practical steps for reducing air pollution exposure. The advice will be presented in a variety of formats to ensure people of Aboriginal and Arabic backgrounds; health professionals; and policy makers understand the effects of air pollution and to stimulate policy action for clean air. We will jointly create and disseminate factsheets, infographics, podcasts, mobile app, policy briefing, media articles, and an online course on air pollution and lung health. These resources will be culturally and/or linguistically adapted for Aboriginal and Arabic communities in bushfire prone regions to empower people with asthma to reduce their exposure.

To find out more, visit Healthy-Air: Pollution Advice for People with Asthma

Funded by: Asthma Australia

UC project team: Sotiris Vardoulakis, Nigel Goodman

External team members: Fay Johnston, Veronica Matthews, Karima Laachir, Bandana Saini, Nicolás Borchers Arriagada, Penny Jones, Ginny Sargent, Sharon Campbell, Erin Walsh, Danielle Cameron, Amanda Wheeler

Borchers Arriagada, N., Palmer, A.J., Bowman, D.M., Morgan, G.G., Jalaludin, B.B. and Johnston, F.H., 2020. Unprecedented smoke‐related health burden associated with the 2019–20 bushfires in eastern Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 213(6), pp.282-283.

Heaney, E., Hunter, L., Clulow, A., Bowles, D. and Vardoulakis, S., 2021. Efficacy of communication techniques and health outcomes of bushfire smoke exposure: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), p.10889.

Vardoulakis, S., Jalaludin, B.B., Morgan, G.G., Hanigan, I.C. and Johnston, F.H., 2020. Bushfire smoke: urgent need for a national health protection strategy. The Medical Journal of Australia, 212(8), p.349.