Media Release
Scots most ignorant about asthma attacks
Scots most ignorant about asthma attacks
06 March 2006
Only 38% of people in Scotland would know what to do if someone was having an asthma attack, according to figures released today, (Monday 6 March) from Asthma UK Scotland.
The survey carried out by BMRB , showed that although the majority of people in Scotland are aware that an asthma attack can be fatal (96%), only 38% said they would know what to do in the event of an attack. UK wide, 50% of people said they would know what to do.
Asthma UK today launches its Deadly Serious Campaign, with a 40-second television advert highlighting that asthma is serious and that underestimating the condition could be a fatal mistake.
There are 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK and every day, people are dying unnecessarily. Every seven hours someone dies of an asthma attack yet 90% of these deaths are preventable.
Asthma UK wants people to be more aware about asthma and not take asthma for granted. Even people with mild asthma are at risk of having a fatal attack if their asthma isn’t under control. Over half a million people with severe asthma are concerned that the next asthma attack will be the one that kills them.
Elaine Carnegie of Asthma UK Scotland says: ‘Scotland has some of the highest rates of asthma in the world with one in five households affected. If you don’t have asthma yourself, you will know someone who does. Our Deadly Serious campaign aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of asthma and to show our commitment to preventing needless deaths by helping people increase their understanding and reduce the effect of asthma on their lives. Getting an Asthma Attack Card is one step parents of children with asthma can take to making their child safe and we urge everyone to get one.’
One man who knows the seriousness of the condition, which affects 390,000 people in Scotland, is Bob Reid, a Countryside Ranger at Strathclyde Country Park who lost his son following an asthma attack in 1999.
‘Asthma is a killer to which my son died tragically in 1999 at the age of 24. Andrew was an active, fit and healthy young man and his death has convinced me that nobody should underestimate the dangers of asthma.
‘Anyone could one day need to deal with a young person or adult who is having an asthma attack and having the knowledge to assist may help to save a life.’
Bob now campaigns for people who work with children with asthma and thanks to his efforts, every countryside ranger in Scotland now knows about the dangers of asthma and has a supply of Asthma Attack Cards.
One in six people with severe asthma have weekly attacks that are so severe that they are unable to ask for help. To make sure people know what to do if someone is having an asthma attack, Asthma UK has developed an attack card that includes simple information that could be life saving.
By the end of today at least three people could have died from asthma. Don’t underestimate asthma. Call 020 7786 5000 now for an Asthma UK asthma attack card that can show you and people around you what to do in a serious asthma attack.
The survey carried out by BMRB , showed that although the majority of people in Scotland are aware that an asthma attack can be fatal (96%), only 38% said they would know what to do in the event of an attack. UK wide, 50% of people said they would know what to do.
Asthma UK today launches its Deadly Serious Campaign, with a 40-second television advert highlighting that asthma is serious and that underestimating the condition could be a fatal mistake.
There are 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK and every day, people are dying unnecessarily. Every seven hours someone dies of an asthma attack yet 90% of these deaths are preventable.
Asthma UK wants people to be more aware about asthma and not take asthma for granted. Even people with mild asthma are at risk of having a fatal attack if their asthma isn’t under control. Over half a million people with severe asthma are concerned that the next asthma attack will be the one that kills them.
Elaine Carnegie of Asthma UK Scotland says: ‘Scotland has some of the highest rates of asthma in the world with one in five households affected. If you don’t have asthma yourself, you will know someone who does. Our Deadly Serious campaign aims to raise awareness of the seriousness of asthma and to show our commitment to preventing needless deaths by helping people increase their understanding and reduce the effect of asthma on their lives. Getting an Asthma Attack Card is one step parents of children with asthma can take to making their child safe and we urge everyone to get one.’
One man who knows the seriousness of the condition, which affects 390,000 people in Scotland, is Bob Reid, a Countryside Ranger at Strathclyde Country Park who lost his son following an asthma attack in 1999.
‘Asthma is a killer to which my son died tragically in 1999 at the age of 24. Andrew was an active, fit and healthy young man and his death has convinced me that nobody should underestimate the dangers of asthma.
‘Anyone could one day need to deal with a young person or adult who is having an asthma attack and having the knowledge to assist may help to save a life.’
Bob now campaigns for people who work with children with asthma and thanks to his efforts, every countryside ranger in Scotland now knows about the dangers of asthma and has a supply of Asthma Attack Cards.
One in six people with severe asthma have weekly attacks that are so severe that they are unable to ask for help. To make sure people know what to do if someone is having an asthma attack, Asthma UK has developed an attack card that includes simple information that could be life saving.
By the end of today at least three people could have died from asthma. Don’t underestimate asthma. Call 020 7786 5000 now for an Asthma UK asthma attack card that can show you and people around you what to do in a serious asthma attack.
Notes to editors
1. As part of the initiative, Asthma UK launches its first ever television advertising campaign, beginning today and which will be aired across the UK for one week.
2. 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.
3. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline.
4. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk.
2. 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.
3. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline.
4. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk.
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