Love your Lungs

Love your lungs

Almost two-in-three Australian seniors may be jeopardising their health by not protecting against an often fatal lung infection, despite being at increased risk according to the Lung Foundation Australia’s Love Your Lungs at 65 Years Young research released this week.

It found that 94% of Australians aged 65–74 do not recognise age as a risk factor for pneumonia, while fewer than half correctly understand vaccination can defend against pneumococcal pneumonia which is responsible for 82% of pneumonia cases among those aged 65 years and over.

According to respiratory physician and Lung Foundation Australia Board Member, A/Prof Lucy Morgan, while older Australians focus strongly on heart, skin and breast health, they tend to ignore their lung health, even though pneumonia-like illness (pneumonia and influenza) is among the top 10 contributing causes of death in Australia.

This year in Pneumonia Awareness Week (April 28 – May 4) Lung Foundation Australia is urging all Australian seniors aged 65 and over who are considered ‘at-risk’ of contracting pneumonia, and those eligible for a five-year booster vaccine, to recognise its seriousness and protect against the infection.

‘Each year, the number of new cases of pneumococcal pneumonia rises exponentially among those aged between 50 and 80 years, to nearly 200 per 100,000. That’s why it is imperative Australians celebrating their ‘golden years’ take advantage of recommended and government-funded vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia as part of their general health plan,’ Dr Morgan said. Pneumococcal vaccination is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and funded under Immunise Australia for all Australians aged 65 and over, with many eligible for a second vaccine five years following their first dose.

Reproduced from the Australian Pharmacist 1/5/14

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