Cystic Fibrosis organisations in Australia provide support and services to people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and their carers and families. This is complemented by a commitment to research and a quality improvement program focussing on improved clinical care for people with CF.
Every four days a baby is born in Australia with cystic fibrosis (CF) and more than one million Australians are carriers of cystic fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) is committed to improving clinical practice and patient outcomes through its quality improvement programmes and research with the aim of extending life expectancy from 47 to 55 years by 2025.
Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive genetic condition. It primarily affects the lungs and digestive system because of a malfunction in the exocrine system, responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus.
In addition to working for a cure, Cystic Fibrosis Australia also provides support and advocacy to improve the lives of people with cystic fibrosis. Get involved by raising awareness about CF, participating in a fundraising event or volunteering.
Cystic Fibrosis Australia has established a consistent approach to advocacy across Australia and is now a subject matter expert for government, industry and the media.
The Australian Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust (ACFRT) is managed by Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA). Since 1989 it has funded more than 300 projects valued at over $6,000,000.
Visit the media room to browse through number of resources including media representatives, press releases and reports.
Pandemics and highly infectious diseases were a key concern in 2020 in the wake of the global outbreak of COVID-19. At this point in time our research suggests that outcomes for individuals managing cystic fibrosis (CF) who also contract COVID-19 are comparable to the general population, however this may change in the light of larger sample sizes and virus mutations as time goes on.
On a personal level we are hoping for a quick rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine so that risk to the CF community can be mitigated as much as possible. There is certainly an overlap between the organs and system affected by the symptoms of COVID-19 and those affected by cystic fibrosis.
In the ongoing wake of the COVID crisis, we advocate increased public health and hygiene measures as well as a wider culture of social distancing.
It is possible that positive practices and habits can be formed in this uncertain time, and individuals who live with CF would be better looked after by our society if germ management and anti-infection measures became a part of the national routine.
For certain aspects of healthcare and consultation, telehealth seems to be an emerging innovation that can reduce risks and ensure that those managing CF are within reach of equitable care.
CF and Infectious disease:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02112-y
https://www.cff.org/Life-With-CF/Daily-Life/Germs-and-Staying-Healthy/CF-and-Coronavirus-COVID-19/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30177-6/fulltext#:~:text=During%20the%202009%20influenza%20pandemic,mechanical%20ventilation%2C%20and%20even%20death.&text=et%20al.,-Influenza%20A%2FH1N1