13.07.2006
Asthmatics will soon be able to receive a text message to their mobile phone about air quality in Sussex in an innovative scheme to be evaluated by the University of Brighton.
airALERT is a pilot project for asthma sufferers launched this summer by the Sussex Air Quality Steering Group with support from the Sussex Primary Care Trusts, Health Protection Agency, the University of Brighton and the university's Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP).
People with asthma are currently being recruited to sign up to this free service. The alert will inform asthma sufferers, about predicted air pollution levels, to help them make informed choices about managing their respiratory health.
Each working day an air-quality forecast will be produced for Sussex. If a forecast predicts increasing air pollution levels, in other words, in the 'moderate', 'high' or 'very high' air-quality banding, an airALERT will be sent out.
A research team at the university led by Dr Kirsty Smallbone, will look at whether the pilot gives positive benefits to health service providers by reducing asthma admissions, fewer visits to GPs or clinics and looking at the well-being of patients by simply keeping them informed.
During 2006 the benefits of the service will be assessed and it is hoped to widen the number of people who could benefit from the service in 2007.
Dr Smallbone said: "By giving information about a predicted air pollution episode direct to those people who are most vulnerable, it is hoped that airALERT will empower people with information to help in self-health management."
For more information or to register for the service this summer go to: www.sussex-air.net and click on airALERT or contact Dr Kirsty Smallbone at k.smallbone @brighton.ac.uk.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
