Asthma Australia
Asthma Australia has a number of programs and services operating in the community that provide information for all ages and backgrounds that aims to increase the awareness of asthma in the community and properly equip people in managing asthma.
Asthma Australia has worked hard to become an effective advocate for people with asthma and provide programs and information to help them manage their condition and enjoy a better quality of life. We have also helped to establish and support Australia’s world class asthma research program.
However asthma is still a serious and life threatening condition. Some 2.7 million Australians live with this chronic illness. A great deal has been learned about asthma, but there is still much more to do if we are going to achieve our vision of a community free of asthma.
Providing quality information
At the Asthma Australia we believe that quality information drives effective outcomes. We will find out what information people need about asthma – both now and in the future – and have systems in place to make sure this information is accurate, relevant, up-to-date and easily accessible through a range of mediums. We want to be sought after for advice and information on asthma related matters - the first point of contact for people living with asthma.
Knowing our consumers
We will have a consistent framework to engage and involve consumer representatives in all our activities, including our governance processes. We will regularly collect data about our consumers and their views to use to shape our programs and activities. We will also develop our network of organised and trained volunteer representatives and review our programs to make sure they meet identified needs.
Producing positive change
We will have clear and well developed policy positions and effective communication strategies and advocacy networks to make sure key messages are successfully promoted and have an influence on government agencies and key decision makers.
Our aim is to help individuals with asthma have a full and rewarding lifestyle, and minimise asthma’s adverse social and economic impact on the community through fewer deaths, less absenteeism and reduced demands on the health system.
Building new knowledge
We will work in partnership with other agencies – ranging from local communities to the national arena – to support research into preventing and managing asthma, and develop innovative ways to make research outcomes more accessible and more available. We aim to translate our expertise and information into practical ways to help people with asthma improve their lives – in schools, community groups, aged care facilities and sporting clubs in both rural and urban areas.
Ensuring sustainability
We will develop ‘best practice’ governance processes to facilitate good decision making and operations will be characterised by strategic planning, clear performance measurement and a strong focus on outcomes. We will be recognised as a preferred place of employment.
With greatly increased public awareness of asthma and of Asthma Australia providing the basis for our successful fundraising, and through enhancing the profitability of our business operations, we will develop a stronger and sustainable longer-term financial position for the organisation.
Where to from here?
As a result of all our efforts, asthma will be better understood and managed, the lifestyle of our consumers will be improved, and Asthma Australia will be widely recognised as a leading charitable organisation.