Campaign calls for asthma to be recognised in women’s health
17 Sep 2026
Asthma Australia’s She Needs to Breathe campaign is bringing women with lived experience together with federal parliamentarians to discuss the impact of asthma and the need for greater recognition within women’s health policy.
One participant, Fiona Morrison, said her worsening breathing difficulties were linked to anxiety and ageing for years before her asthma was properly recognised.
Ms Morrison said her symptoms became particularly difficult during perimenopause and that she was offered medication for anxiety instead of an asthma management plan.
She said her breathing eventually became so difficult that she struggled to walk 10 metres on a flat surface before her asthma was taken seriously.
The campaign highlights the impact asthma can have on women and the possible relationship between hormonal changes, inflammation and asthma symptoms.
Asthma Australia CEO Kate Miranda said respiratory health should be considered during healthcare appointments that women already attend.
These include annual health checks, antenatal care and consultations relating to perimenopause and menopause.
Ms Miranda said the organisation was seeking opportunities to identify worsening asthma earlier rather than creating new appointments or systems.
Campaign ambassador Liz Ellis AO also spoke about the relationship between hormonal changes and asthma.
She said she had lived with asthma throughout her life but had not previously connected changes in her symptoms with hormonal changes.
Asthma Australia is calling for:
- Respiratory health to be included in existing women’s health assessment pathways
- The Ministerial Expert Panel on Women’s Health to consider asthma as a specific women’s health issue
- Asthma to be clearly recognised within women’s health policy
The Parliament House event brings together women with lived experience of asthma, parliamentarians, Liz Ellis AO and Asthma Australia as part of the She Needs to Breathe campaign.
Speakers included Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care and Assistant Minister for Women Rebecca White MP, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator Anne Ruston, and Parliamentary Friends of Asthma Co-chairs Dr Mike Freelander MP and Tony Pasin MP.
Campaign calls for asthma to be recognised in women’s health
Source: Asthma Australia