Government providing $2m to improve lung health

The Morrison Government has announced it is providing $2 million to improve education and training for Australian health practitioners to better diagnose, manage and care for people with lung conditions.

It’s said that more than seven million Australians currently live with a lung condition – chronic lower respiratory diseases are the fifth leading cause of death in Australia and approximately 2.7 million Australians (11% of the population) have asthma.

With lung conditions significantly impacting people’s quality of life and ability to reach their full potential, this funding is said to be an important step in trying to alleviate these affects.

Funding breakdown

The National Asthma Council (NAC) is set to receive $600,000 to support the delivery of best-practice training in asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions to primary care health practitioners.

A grant of $1.4 million will allow the Lung Foundation Australia to develop and deliver education and training resources for health professionals to improve the diagnosis, management and care of people with lung conditions. This reportedly includes a national educational framework for health professionals on lung health.

Reportedly, the funding is provided under the National Strategic Action Plan for Lung Conditions to support the development of lung condition education and training for health professionals and is part of a broader $4 million commitment to support early implementation of the Action Plan.