New research commissioned by Boots UK reveals that 45% of patients think more support is needed within the local community for people with asthma.¹ This comes today as Boots UK launches a new in-store asthma support programme to provide help and support to the millions of people affected by asthma and encourage them to take control of their health.
 
Boots UK pharmacists have received bespoke training to help people to improve the management of their asthma so that the condition doesn’t stop them pursuing their goals. In-store, pharmacists can check if a person’s asthma is well managed or if they are using their inhaler properly. In addition, they can provide advice on how to best control asthma symptoms and the seasonal impact of asthma, including triggers.
 
Boots UK research highlights the importance of supporting and encouraging people with asthma as it can lead to both better management of their condition and improvements in their overall health and wellbeing. The research looked at those who had been encouraged to take up an activity (i.e. a sport or hobby) to improve their asthma and found that 72% of those that had taken up such an activity, felt their health condition and/or wellbeing improve as a result.¹ Yet only 26% of adults were encouraged to take up an activity when diagnosed, with two in five (44%) admitting that they would have taken up an activity if they had more support and encouragement.¹
 
British Olympic swimmer, Hannah Miley, who was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 17 says: “The support and encouragement I received from both my family and healthcare professionals when I was diagnosed with asthma ensured that I could get on with my life as normal and carry on swimming to an Olympic standard. I was determined that asthma wouldn’t stop me from doing what I wanted to do! I think it’s really important that people have free and easy access expert support via a local pharmacist, helping them to take the right steps to control their asthma.”
 
Boots UK knows how important it is to have a convenient first port of call within the community for those looking for expert face-to-face advice and support on how to better manage long-term conditions, such as asthma.
 
The programme can support and encourage the three million adults who do not have their asthma under control² and the 71% who are not using their inhalers properly,³ to take positive steps to improving their condition.
 
Manny Johal, Boots UK Pharmacist, comments, “Adults with asthma can greatly benefit from the support and encouragement that is often only reserved for children when they are first diagnosed. Pharmacists are ideally placed in the local community to support people with asthma to take the right steps to improving their inhaler technique or raising awareness of their triggers. Often these simple steps can help people to control their asthma, not let asthma control them.”
 
Boots UK is providing further support online at Boots.com/asthma which contains a number of videos where healthcare experts answer questions about asthma. In addition, BootsWebMD.com has a specific Asthma Health Centre which is packed with information and support to help people with asthma keep up to date with the latest asthma news.

 
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