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Survey Says Lung Crisis Looms

Thursday March 18, 2004

New research conducted for the Australian Lung Foundation has revealed young people are at increased risk of chronic lung disease because they are more likely than any other sector of the community to ignore the symptoms.

According to figures in the latest issue of the Pfizer Australia Health Report released today, one-in-three of those aged under 30 (32 percent) admit they would not consult a doctor if they felt there was a problem with their lung health. This compares to just five percent of those aged 51 years or more.

Given that a person can lose up to 50 percent of lung function before they notice any symptoms, the Australian Lung Foundation warns that this complacency in young people is putting lives at risk.

"The biggest part of the problem is that young people are not taking their lung health seriously," said Dr Robert Edwards, Chairman of the Australian Lung Foundation.

"Alarmingly, those aged under 30 were also found to be the least likely to give up smoking to protect their lungs (49 percent versus 60 percent of those aged 51 and over)."

"It is important to point out that we are not saying that older people have the right attitude when it comes to lung health. They too have a long way to go. What we are saying is that young people are the worst of what is a pretty bad bunch."

"Having grown up in an era where the dangers of smoking have been communicated widely and loudly, young people seem to be oblivious to the message. Lung health is not top of mind and the 'don't smoke' message is being ignored."

The research reinforces this point. The overwhelming majority of young people say they only think about their lungs a couple of times a year or less often (68 percent). One-in-four young people admit they never think about the health of their lungs (24 percent) whereas people aged 51 and over are most likely to think about their lungs once a month or more often (54 percent).

Dr Edwards says that every cigarette causes lung damage regardless of a person's age.

"Because the onset of chronic lung disease is slow and hidden, young people see a decline in lung function as being an 'older person' issue. Urgent change is needed when it comes to the way we communicate the antismoking message to young people," Dr Edwards said.

"If young people are not educated to understand the importance of protecting their lungs very soon, we will be faced with a looming lung crisis in 20 years time."

"It is never too soon or too late to give up smoking!"

Other interesting findings:

• Despite thinking about their lung health more frequently than any other sector of the community, smokers are the least likely to ask their GP about their lung health during a check-up.

• And despite being the highest risk group for chronic lung disease, smokers are also less likely to report their GP addressing lung function as part of their regular check-up routine.

• Smokers are more likely than any other sector of the community to think that it is normal for lung function to simply decrease with age.

• This comes despite smokers being four times more likely to have a chronic cough and four times more likely to get out of breath walking on flat ground compared to non-smokers of the same age.

Copies of the Pfizer Australia Health Report on lung health can be requested free of charge by calling 1800 675 229. Members of the public can sign-up to receive future editions by email at www.healthreport.com.au. Alternatively the current edition can be requested electronically by sending an SMS, with the word PFIZER followed by an email address, to 0429 444 777.