The Health and Wellbeing Study Report - An Investigation into the Perceived Health and Wellbeing of those Living with Asthma in Ireland.

Abstract

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in Ireland with an estimated 470,000 individuals thought to be affected nationwide (Asthma Society of Ireland 2014, Central Statistics Office 2008). Of these, 240,000 are believed to be uncontrolled asthmatics, and approximately 50 asthma related deaths per year (Asthma Society of Ireland, 2013). The loss of productivity in the workforce and at school due to asthma related illness is 12 days per adult, and 10 days per child per year in Ireland (Manning et al. 2007), and at a cost to the exchequer of €2,737 per hospital admission (Health Service Executive 2009). Despite the availability of comprehensive guidelines on asthma management (GINA 2012, Holohan et al. 2012), morbidity rates in adults continue to rise, with worrying levels of control having been highlighted by the REALISE study (Price et al. 2014). Asthma is often distressing, debilitating and potentially life threatening, thus, the use of adequate treatment and management is essential in maintaining control. Although there is no cure for Asthma, its clinical manifestations can be controlled and managed with treatment, resulting in an improvement in overall health and wellbeing (Cushny 2013). The Asthma Society of Ireland is campaigning for the implementation of the National Clinical Programme for Asthma (NCPA) in order to improve the health and wellbeing for all those living with asthma in Ireland. The aim of the NCPA is to reduce the occupancy of asthma bed days by 3,140, decrease GP out of hour visits by 5,000, and reduce emergency department admissions by 2,000 over the next three years, all while achieving a 90% reduction in asthma mortality over a ten year timeframe (Asthma Society of Ireland 2014). This is envisaged thorough the implementation of a national model of care, designed specifically with evidence based guidelines, treatment protocols, care pathways and care bundles for individuals with asthma. The Asthma Society of Ireland has been investigating the lives of those living with asthma in relation to their health and wellbeing in order to support the call for the implementation of the NCPA. Other studies have explored asthma in terms of its treatment, management and symptom control (Price et al. 2014, Su et al. 2013, Thompson et al. 2013). This investigation into perceived health and wellbeing of adults with asthma was envisaged to provide a timely insight in line with the objectives set out in the Healthy Ireland Framework (Department of Health 2013b). 6 The Healthy Ireland Framework is a strategy to promote the health and wellbeing of the entire population over the coming decade. The overall vision of the framework is to have an Ireland where every citizen can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential (Department of Health 2013b). The framework defines health as much more than an absence of disease or disability. It states that an ‘individual’s health, and that of the country, affects the quality of a populations lived experience, is an essential aspect of everyday life and is an asset for all human development’ (Department of Health, 2012b). Wellbeing is highlighted as an important dimension in overall context of health. The aims of the framework are to increase our healthy population across the life trajectory, achieve a reduction in health inequalities nationally, reduce threats to health in society and create an environment where every citizen takes responsibility for managing their own health and wellbeing. This envisages a cross-sectorial approach across and within all the agencies of the state. This will allow for the focus and redirection of existing resources, and the acceleration of progress on existing and future programmes and initiatives (Department of Health, 2013b). The Asthma Society of Ireland can play an integral role in implementing the aims of the Healthy Ireland Framework by continuing to advocate for the implementation of the NCPA.