"Early childhood asthma: what do we know and what do we need to know?" was debated by experts involved in paediatric asthma research and healthcare at the Macquarie Bank Asthma Australia Research Colloquium held in February 2002.
The Colloquium, hosted by the Macquarie Bank Asthma Australia Research Alliance, offered a unique opportunity to consider important scientific, community and social issues relevant to children with asthma.
This Supplement presents the findings of the Colloquium. It highlights key issues associated with childhood asthma that will lead to a better knowledge of the research needed to understand the condition and its progression into later childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The outcomes of the Colloquium serve to elucidate key areas for future work in childhood asthma over the next five years.
Macquarie Bank has played an important role in taking forward and investing in asthma research. Making the findings of the Colloquium available will assist in informing the asthma community and the broader population about new developments in the field. Nationally, the Commonwealth Government is also committed to the better management of asthma, taking the lead in fostering active partnerships in the community and increasing the knowledge base with regard to asthma management.
No single group can deliver change on its own. The innovative partnership between Asthma Australia and Macquarie Bank provides the opportunity to promote and support Australian research into asthma.
I commend this report to you as a guide to research priorities into asthma prevention, risk factors, allergy and asthma, exercise-induced asthma and new approaches to drug therapy.
