Saving Lives from Thunderstorm Asthma
In 2016, Melbourne suffered the worst episode of thunderstorm asthma ever recorded worldwide. Emergency services were overwhelmed and 10 people died, mostly in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Professor Jo Douglass from the University of Melbourne is leading a research translation project to ensure that clinical and public health interventions are in place to avoid another deadly thunderstorm asthma event.
This project – which sees scientists, clinicians, epidemiologists and consumer partners like Asthma Victoria and the National Asthma Foundation working together – aims to determine who is most at risk, monitor those at risk and track how air quality impacts them, and establish a national pollen counting capability.