We are keen to share our research and collaborate and engage with the community.
Please get in touch with us via heal@canberra.edu.au or 02 6206 5131.
This project aims to synthesise, translate and disseminate the best available scientific evidence on the effectiveness of reduction measures on exposure to air pollution and health protection advice for people with asthma, with a particular focus on those socio-economically marginalised or disproportionally affected by the condition. The project incorporates extensive consumer engagement in the form of focus groups, roundtable discussions and interviews to understand the needs of people with asthma, including people from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, health professional and policy makers.
Air pollution from bushfires, cars and wood heaters can trigger symptoms and distress in people with asthma. As highlighted by the 2019/20 bushfires, there remains a critical lack of accessible tools, resources and advice empowering people with asthma to effectively reduce their air pollution exposure.
This project will translate findings from available evidence and consumer engagement into accessible advice with practical steps for reducing air pollution exposure. The advice will be presented in a variety of formats to ensure people of Aboriginal and Arabic backgrounds; health professionals; and policy makers understand the effects of air pollution and to stimulate policy action for clean air. We will jointly create and disseminate factsheets, infographics, podcasts, mobile app, policy briefing, media articles, and an online course on air pollution and lung health. These resources will be culturally and/or linguistically adapted for Aboriginal and Arabic communities in bushfire prone regions to empower people with asthma to reduce their exposure.
To find out more, visit
Funded by: Asthma Australia
߲Ƶ project team: Sotiris Vardoulakis, Nigel Goodman
External team members: Fay Johnston, Veronica Matthews, Karima Laachir, Bandana Saini, Nicolás Borchers Arriagada, Penny Jones, Ginny Sargent, Sharon Campbell, Erin Walsh, Danielle Cameron, Amanda Wheeler
Borchers Arriagada, N., Palmer, A.J., Bowman, D.M., Morgan, G.G., Jalaludin, B.B. and Johnston, F.H., 2020. Unprecedented smoke‐related health burden associated with the 2019–20 bushfires in eastern Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 213(6), pp.282-283.
Heaney, E., Hunter, L., Clulow, A., Bowles, D. and Vardoulakis, S., 2021. Efficacy of communication techniques and health outcomes of bushfire smoke exposure: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20), p.10889.
Vardoulakis, S., Jalaludin, B.B., Morgan, G.G., Hanigan, I.C. and Johnston, F.H., 2020. Bushfire smoke: urgent need for a national health protection strategy. The Medical Journal of Australia, 212(8), p.349.
We are keen to share our research and collaborate and engage with the community.
Please get in touch with us via heal@canberra.edu.au or 02 6206 5131.
߲Ƶ acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where Bruce campus is situated. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region. We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather.