Asthma UK Launches First Ever Asthma Control Census

Asthma UK is launching its first ever asthma control census today, World Asthma Day 2006, to raise awareness amongst the 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK that they may be putting up with symptoms that impact unnecessarily on their quality of life.

The charity is calling on people with asthma to complete the Asthma Control Test™, a 60-second, five-point questionnaire that will help them to understand how well their asthma is controlled. The results will be collated into the census, helping to paint a picture of asthma control across the country and allowing people to compare their scores with others and with celebrities who have done the test.

Actor Russell Floyd, who played DC Ken Drummond in The Bill, is one of the celebrities supporting the campaign. He has recently experienced the benefits of improving his asthma control: 'I decided to run the London marathon and, having never run before, I met with an asthma nurse to help me get my asthma under control. She helped explain my medication and made me realise I needed to improve my diet too. I now know that asthma shouldn't stop you from achieving what you want to achieve. I learnt that by being fit I could beat asthma.'

Just 1 in 5 adults with asthma in the UK currently has their asthma under control. That means over 3 million of them are living with symptoms that impact unnecessarily on their lives. And yet, if their asthma is well controlled, they should not have to miss out on the things they want to do - whether that's playing with their children, going to the gym or simply sleeping well at night.

Asthma UK is tackling the issue by asking 'Are you in control of your asthma or is your asthma in control of you?' and calling on people to complete the Asthma Control Test™ to find out. The quick test will give them a score out of 25 to help them identify their level of asthma control and will provide them with advice on what to do next.

Professor Martyn Partridge, Chief Medical Adviser at Asthma UK, comments: 'Too many people with asthma put up with symptoms and accept limitation of their lifestyle without realising that for most, simple safe medicine can return them to full health and activity. The first step is to realise that having symptoms is not inevitable, and then to see their doctor, nurse or pharmacist for optimisation of therapy and a written personal asthma action plan.'

The Asthma Control Test can be completed online at asthmacensus.org.uk (or by calling 0870 3 66 66 33 to request a hard copy) and will be available from today (World Asthma Day) until the end of May.

-- The Asthma Control Test™ is suitable for people with asthma aged 12 and over.

-- ©2002, by QualityMetric Incorporated. Asthma Control Test is a trademark of QualityMetric Incorporated. "US English version modified for use in UK"

-- Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website http://www.asthma.org.uk.

-- For independent and confidential advice on asthma, email an asthma nurse at http://www.asthma.org.uk/adviceline.

http://www.asthma.org.uk