Pharmacy Daily | It’s time to show us your lungs Australia

THE Australian Lung Foundation recently launched a new public health campaign, ‘Show Us Your Lungs’ to get Australians to take lung health seriously. The launch follows recent research which found that in general, Aussies ignore their lung health. According to the Newspoll survey one in three Australians do not consider their lungs to be important, despite the fact that around 50 Aussies die of lung disease every day. The survey also found that whilst 84% of Australians rated their lung health as excellent, very good or good, one in three revealed they experience at least one of the signs of poor lung health. “The survey results indicate that people aren’t recognising signs of poor lung health and probably not speaking to their doctors about their symptoms,” said Professor Christine Jenkins, Lung Foundation National Council member. The Lung Foundation’s ‘Show Us Your Lungs’ campaign aims to address this gap in people’s perception of their lung health and the reality of their condition, and to get Aussies to speak to a health care professional if they experience at least one of the following: Breathlessness walking up a small flight of steps (8-12 steps); chest infection at least twice a year; a new cough, persistent cough, changed cough or if they regularly cough up phlegm (not due to a cold or flu); or have an unexplained ache in their chest or back, tightness in chest or wheeze. “Many lung diseases are treatable if they are properly diagnosed,” said Jenkins. “Identifying the early signs of lung disease and acting early is important,” she added. The cheeky ‘Show Us Your Lungs’ campaign launch saw a team of “lung flashers” wander around the streets of Sydney in dubious trenchcoats flashing unsuspecting Sydney-siders their lungs (pictured above). The campaign is being supported by consumer information flyers and posters available in GP surgeries, a new community service announcement and the campaign’s creative and educational video content, featuring actor John Jarratt. See www.lungfoundation.com.au.

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