NT media release
EMBARGOED TUES, MAY 7, 2013
‘Love Your Lungs’ – experts calling for preventative action to
help curb Northern Territory lung infection rates this winter
New findings reveal public misunderstanding of pneumonia – Pneumonia Awareness Week
Only one-in-eight adult Australians at risk of contracting a potentially life-threatening lung infection recognise they
are at high risk,1 an Australian-first research survey reveals.
In order to help educate the Australian adult population potentially ‘at-risk’ of contracting pneumonia,1
Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) is encouraging the community to support a Love Your Lungs public health campaign
this Pneumonia Awareness Week (May 6 – 12) to raise awareness and help reduce infection rates this winter.
The campaign is designed to educate Australians about the seriousness of pneumonia and encourage those at-risk of
contracting the infection, to seek further information from their doctor.
According to Dr Peter Beaumont, President of the Northern Territory branch of the Australian Medical Association,
Darwin, pneumonia – a lung infection resulting in air sacs in the lungs filling with secretions and fluids that obstruct
normal air flow2 – should not be underestimated.
“Pneumonia and influenza are among the top 10 contributing causes of deaths in Australia.3
“Worryingly, the Public Perceptions of Pneumonia findings reveal the at-risk population, including the elderly
(people over 65); those with impaired immunity; tobacco smokers and people with chronic illnesses including diabetes,
lung disease, heart disease and kidney disease, are overwhelmingly unaware of their susceptibility to pneumonia and
how to help protect against contracting this potentially life-threatening lung infection,” said Dr Beaumont.
“Furthermore, only around one-in-five (18 per cent) adult Australians at-risk of pneumonia understand that vaccination
against pneumococcal pneumonia (caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae) is the best defence against
contracting the infection1,” Dr Beaumont said.
“This finding is particularly concerning, given the annual incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia rises exponentially
between the ages of 50 and 80 years, to nearly 200 per 100,000.”4
Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is responsible for approximately 1.6 million deaths annually world-wide5,
which is more deaths than any other single pathogen.6 S. pneumoniae can be spread through inhaling infected droplets
in the air from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.2 Symptoms include rapid or difficulty breathing, cough, fever,
chills or loss of appetite.7 S. pneumoniae may cause a range of diseases including pneumonia, meningitis (infection of
the membranes that enclose the brain and spinal cord), septicaemia/bacteraemia (blood system infection), and middle
ear and sinus infections.7
Retired accountant, Dean,* 73 from Adelaide, who has had a long history as a chronic smoker and has also been living
with asthma for years, has contracted pneumonia twice during the past three years.
Dean concedes that decades of smoking have contributed to his lung damage.
Prior to experiencing his first episode of pneumonia in November 2009, Dean felt unusually short of breath one day and
visited his GP.
“I went to my GP and undertook some blood and sputum tests and was diagnosed with pneumonia,” he said.
“My father contracted pneumonia when I was quite young, but I had little idea of what the illness was.”
“In September, 2011, while visiting his grandchildren in Melbourne, Dean was hospitalised after experiencing shortness
of breath, coughing fits and pains in the chest. He stayed in hospital for four days before being diagnosed with a second
bout of pneumonia, which marked the beginning of a gradual decline in Dean’s mobility.
“The doctors were straightforward about it. They told me the illness was very serious, and prescribed some strong
medication,” said Dean.
Because Dean is so vulnerable to lung infections, he plans to speak to his doctor about ways to help reduce his risk of
re-acquiring pneumonia this winter, including vaccination.
“It’s important that people like me, who are at-risk of contracting pneumonia, understand the seriousness of this
potentially life-threatening lung infection.”
*Surname withheld.
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“Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common form of community acquired pneumonia in Australia and throughout
the world,8,9,10 and furthermore, pneumococcal pneumonia is a disease that can be prevented with vaccination,” said
Dr Rod Pearce, country and city GP and Medical Officer of Health, Eastern Health Authority, Adelaide.
“Disturbingly, The Public Perceptions of Pneumonia findings indicate vaccination coverage is low among the adult at-risk
population, with less than one-in-three (29 per cent) having been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia.1
“Furthermore, only one-in-five (20 per cent) of the adult at-risk population who have not been vaccinated intend to do
so in the future,”1 Dr Pearce said.
“One of the most significant issues associated with low vaccination rates among high-risk groups, is re-vaccination.
“The research survey found only 37 per cent of those vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia have had the second
booster injection, due five years post the initial vaccination,”1 said Dr Pearce.
Dr Bowler also cites significant public ignorance about the difference between the flu and pneumonia.
“While pneumonia often comes after a cold or flu, the research survey reveals 70 per cent of the adult at-risk population
is unable to differentiate between the flu and pneumonia,1 while only 30 per cent correctly understand that pneumonia
may be caused by fungi, a virus or bacteria, as opposed to the flu, which is viral,”1 Dr Pearce said.
“What the findings of this new research survey reinforce is that it’s important to ‘love your lungs’.
“If you or a loved one is at risk of contracting pneumococcal pneumonia, see your doctor about ways to help protect
against infection this winter, including vaccination,” said Dr Pearce.
For more information about Pneumonia Awareness Week, visit www.lungfoundation.com.au or call
Lung Foundation Australia on 1800 654 301.
About pneumonia, pneumococcal pneumonia and vaccination
Pneumonia is a broad term used to describe inflammatory lung infections that can be caused by a bacteria, virus or
fungi.2 Pneumonia is associated with symptoms including fever, cough and difficulty breathing.2 Pneumococcal
pneumonia is only caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae).7 Most pneumococcal
infections are vaccine preventable.7
In Australia, pneumococcal vaccination is listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and funded under
Immunise Australia for infants, older Australians (65 years and older) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.7 Those
with underlying chronic illnesses are also recommended to be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia including
people with diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease and impaired immunity.11
About the Perceptions of Pneumonia research survey1
The Public Perceptions of Pneumonia research survey was conducted online, among a representative sample of 609
‘at-risk’ Australians aged 18 years and older, drawn from across Australia, by Galaxy Research in late March, 2013.
The research survey garnered the public’s attitude towards, and understanding of, the seriousness of pneumonia,
reinforcing the importance of protection in the lead up to winter. The research survey focused on the public’s ability, or
inability, to identify risk factors for pneumonia, their understanding of the difference between pneumonia compared to
the flu and common cold, and their knowledge of how to help protect against the potentially life-threatening infection.
The sample was selected according to accepted principles and the 1,230 respondents that commenced the survey were
weighted and projected to reflect Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates.** Of these respondents,
47 per cent (609) met one or more of the at-risk criteria, including people aged 65 years and over; those with impaired
immunity; tobacco smokers; and people living with chronic illnesses including type 2 diabetes and lung heart and kidney
disease.
About Pneumonia Awareness Week 2013 – Love your Lungs
Pneumonia Awareness Week runs from Monday, May 6 to Sunday, May 7, 2013. The week is designed to educate
Australians about the seriousness of pneumonia and encourage those at risk of contracting the infection to seek further
information. This year’s theme for Pneumonia Awareness Week is Love Your Lungs. Pneumonia Awareness Week 2013
is a Lung Foundation Australia initiative proudly supported by bioCSL.
About Lung Foundation Australia (LFA)
Lung Foundation Australia was established in 1990 by thoracic physicians concerned about the chronic shortage of
funds for research into respiratory medicine and the impact of lung disease on the community. Lung Foundation
Australia aims to ensure lung health is a priority for all Australians.
**The total Australian adult population is 17,389,000 (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2013).
ends#
For more information, or to coordinate an interview with Prof Frith, Dr Pearce, Dean or other participating
spokespeople nation-wide, please contact Kirsten Bruce or Abbey Flanagan from VIVA! Communications on
02 9968 3741/1604 or 0401 717 566 / 0401 082 124.
Full media kit available for download on Tuesday, May 7 at www.vivacommunications.com.au/pneumonia
References
1. The Public Perceptions of Pneumonia research survey. Conducted by Galaxy Research to inform Pneumonia Awareness Week and
proudly supported by bioCSL. March 2013.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Pneumonia fact sheet; November 2012. WHO. Available at
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs331/en/ [last accessed April 2013].
3. AIHW 2010. Australia's health 2010. Australia's health no. 12. Cat. no. AUS 122. Canberra: AIHW.
4. Hogg GG, Strachan JE, Lester RA. (2000) Invasive pneumococcal disease in the population of Victoria. Med J Aust 2000; 173: S32-S35.
5. World Health Organization (WHO). Pneumococcal disease; WHO. Available at
http://www.who.int/ith/diseases/pneumococcal/en/index.html [last accessed April 2013].
6. Forrest JM, McIntyre PB, Burgess MA. Pneumococcal disease in Australia. Commun Dis Intell 2000; 24:89-92.
7. Department of Health and Ageing. Immunise – Pneumococcal Disease. Last modified 19 October, 2012. Available at
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/content/immunise-pneumococcal [last accessed April 2013].
8. File TM. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Cause for Concern. Am J Med. 2004; 117 (3A):
39S-50S.
9. Rozenbaum MH, Pechlivanoglou P, van der Werf TS, Lo-Ten-Foe JR, Postma MJ, Hak E. The role of Streptococcus
pneumoniae in community-acquired pneumonia among adults in Europe: a meta analysis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
2013; 32: 305-316.
10. Jacups SP, Cheng A. The epidemiology of community acquired bacteremic pneumonia, due to Streptococcus pneumoniae,
in the Top End of the Northern Territory, Australia – Over 22 years. Vaccine. 2011; 29: 5386-5392.
11. NHMRC. The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 10th Edition, 2013, Chapter 4.13. Available at
http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/EE1905BC65D40BCFCA257B26007FC8CA/$File/
part4.pdf [last accessed April 2013].