Welcome back Kotter-Developing a National Allergy strategy for Australia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Management

Background:

• Allergic diseases represent a significant and growing global health concern, particularly in Australia.
• In 2013, 20% of the Australian population reported having allergic diseases, highlighting a critical need for improved management strategies.
• The absence of a national strategy hindered the healthcare system's ability to cope with the increasing patient load.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a national strategy for enhancing allergy management in Australia.
• To improve the quality of life for individuals with allergic diseases and their caregivers.

Main Methods:

• A partnership was formed between the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA).
• Kotter's Change Management Model guided the strategy's development and implementation.
• Stakeholder engagement was facilitated through development and implementation summits, supported by education grants.
• Advocacy efforts were undertaken to secure federal government funding.

Main Results:

• The National Allergy Strategy was successfully developed through the ASCIA and A&AA partnership.
• Two summits (development and implementation) and advocacy events led to securing five funding grants.
• These grants enabled the implementation of projects addressing urgent allergy-related issues across Australia.

Conclusions:

• The National Allergy Strategy, a joint initiative by ASCIA and A&AA, proved crucial for securing funding and implementing nationwide projects.
• The partnership fostered stakeholder engagement, essential for advocacy, guidance, and resource development.
• The strategy has successfully attracted funding for project implementation and resource creation, providing a framework for future advocacy and work.