Asthma is the most common long-term medical condition in children and young people. There are about two to three pupils with asthma in every classroom. Across the UK 5.4 million people are receiving treatment for the condition.
In 2021, over eleven-hundred people died of asthma in England and Wales. Two-thirds of asthma-related deaths are preventable through better treatment and management.
The Council and NHS North West London support #AskAboutAsthma. The campaign focusses on children and young people but is relevant for adults too.
Watch the #AskAboutAsthma video
Asthma facts
Three people die of asthma attacks in England and Wales every day.
- People without an asthma action plan are four times more likely to end up in hospital for Asthma.
- Examples of poor asthma control include:
- poor inhaler technique
- not using an inhaler as prescribed
- smoking
- One-third of childhood asthma cases are linked to air pollution
- London has one of the highest rates of children with asthma in Western Europe.
- With good control measures, people with asthma can compete at sport.
What to do if you or your child have asthma
If your child has asthma
- Check their asthma management plan is up-to-date. Your school or GP may have suggested one. If not you could use the asthma management plan on the Asthma UK website. There is a plan for children and a plan for people over 12 years old.
- Check you child knows how to use their inhaler (and spacer) properly.
- Go to the GP for an annual asthma review
- Ask what triggers their asthma
- Stop smoking if you are a smoker. Please contact the London Stop Smoking hotline on 0300 123 1044 or speak with your GP. For more information visit the London Stop Smoking website.
- Get the flu vaccination every year. If your child is in primary school they should receive a vaccination from the school-aged immunisations team. They also run catch-up clinics or you can go to your GP. If your child is in Year 7 or above, make sure they get the flu vaccination at your GP.
- Sign up for pollution alerts so you can adjust activity levels accordingly. You can sign up to Air Text here.
- Explain asthma to younger children using these booklets: Asthmanauts and Asthma Princess.
- Find resources on the Asthma UK website.
- Use the car less.
- Ask your school about their school travel plan.
If your child does not have asthma
You can still help:
- If your child is in primary school make sure they get the flu vaccination. This reduces the chance that others will get the flu.
- Use the car less
- Ask about your child's school travel plan.
If you have asthma
- Check your asthma management plan is up-to-date Your GP may have suggested one. If not you could use the asthma management plan from Asthma UK. There is one for adults on the Asthma UK website.
- Go to the GP for an annual asthma review
- Make sure you know what triggers your asthma
- Get the flu vaccination every year.
- Sign up to pollution alerts so you can adjust activity levels accordingly. You can sign up to Air Text.
- Use the car less
Information for schools
- Go through the Healthy London Partnership London Schools’ Guide
- Have a register of all children and young people with asthma.
- Have an asthma management plan for each child.
- Ensure there is a named individual responsible for asthma in each school.
- Have a policy for inhaler techniques and care of the children and young people with asthma. All schools will have this as part of national requirements.
- Have a policy regarding emergency treatment. All schools will have this as part of national requirements.
- Set up a system for identifying children who are missing school because of their asthma or who are not partaking in sports or other activities due to poor control.
- Carry out an asthma audit. Speak with your school nurse about what assistance they can provide with this.
- Know where to purchase supplies of emergency spacers.
- Continue to promote your schools’ travel plan.
How to use an inhaler
For information on how to effectively use inhalers, visit Asthma.org.uk