Asthma Australia launches game-changing agenda, joined by Sanofi and Research Australia

Medical: In a momentous event at the New South Wales Parliament House, Asthma Australia launched the nation’s first-ever National Asthma Research Agenda (NARA). The event witnessed the presence of key stakeholders, including Sanofi and Research Australia, who gathered to support and acknowledge the initiative.

With limited funding available for asthma research, this initiative aims to provide strategic direction and coordination for researchers, fuelled by the insights and priorities of end-users.

The genesis of the NARA can be traced back to the 2018 National Asthma Strategy, which emphasised the need for a unified approach to “focus, coordinate, and translate quality health research into policy and practice.” Now, the NARA sets out the top 10 research priorities, each aligned with the challenges faced by more than 1.1 million Australians living with this chronic respiratory condition.

Michele Goldman, the CEO of Asthma Australia, underscored the urgency of the situation, stating, “Australia faces one of the highest rates of asthma and the worst burden measures among comparable countries. We urgently need innovative approaches to address this issue.” The NARA aims to bring funders, researchers, and institutions together for greater collaboration and ultimately better outcomes for people suffering from asthma.

The research priorities, recently published in the Journal of Respirology, have been carefully crafted to reflect the lived experiences of asthma patients. By addressing these priorities, researchers seek to translate their findings into meaningful changes in everyday settings, improving the lives of those affected by asthma.

At the top of the list is asthma in children, a segment that experiences the most significant health burden and accounts for more than half of all asthma hospitalisations in Australia. This focus is driven by the profound impact asthma has on early life, education, and caring responsibilities for families.

Professor Peter Gibson, the project lead and co-director at the Centre for Research Excellence in Treatable Traits for Asthma, emphasised the importance of consumer-driven priorities. “If we concentrate on issues that matter most to those living with asthma and the health professionals who care for them,” he said. “We stand a better chance of transforming the status quo that has persisted for far too long in Australia.”

A key feature of the NARA’s development is its rigorous process, adapted from the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership. This process brings together patients, carers, and clinicians to identify and prioritise crucial unanswered questions for research. This inclusive approach ensures that the agenda truly represents the needs and desires of the asthma community.

The NARA launch received support from Sanofi. “We were privileged to be amongst an esteemed group of stakeholders for the official launch of the agenda at NSW Parliament House by Asthma Australia. The speaker panel provided great insight into the research and subsequent identification of the new agenda’s key priorities. We look forward to supporting and raising our voices on the priority issues identified.”

Anthony Flynn, Senior Manager of Research, Information, Programs, and Policy at Asthma Australia, explained, “Before this, there was a lack of overarching strategic direction for asthma research in Australia, resulting in a fragmented approach and research waste. The NARA addresses the polarising views among Australian asthma researchers and sets a unified path for future research.”

This event marks a significant step forward in the fight against asthma in Australia. By channelling resources and focus into the NARA’s research priorities, there is hope for transformative breakthroughs and improved care for all those affected by this respiratory challenge.

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