Speak Out February 2019

Association news

Swallowing Awareness Day 2019

Wednesday 13 March 2019

In 2019, Swallowing Awareness Day will be on Wednesday 13 March. The theme for Swallowing Awareness Day 2019 is Dysphagia. A difficult diagnosis to swallow. Again, in 2019, Speech Pathology Australia will coordinate its campaign with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in an endeavour to highlight how dysphagia affects people’s lives, and how speech and language therapy transforms the experiences of those living with the condition. Swallowing problems can occur at any stage of life. However, knowledge of dysphagia and its implications remain largely unknown for most Australians. For this reason, the Association and its Board of Directors felt a designated day to promote the effects and management of dysphagia was warranted. Around one million Australians have a swallowing difficulty. Swallowing Awareness Day 2019 is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with speech pathologists, the professionals who can help. How you can get involved Members can get involved with Swallowing Awareness Day in a number ways. Two of the easiest are: 1. Engage on social media by using #swallowaware2019 and/or #dysphagia and by including @SpeechPathAus in your Twitter and Instagram posts; and 2. Download the Swallowing Awareness Campaign materials that can be found on the Swallowing Awareness Day page on the Association’s website: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/swallowing Swallowing Awareness Day 2019 is an opportunity to bring attention to swallowing disorders and to connect people with the professionals who can help. Find more information of the Swallowing Awareness Day page on the Association’s website: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/ swallowing #swallowaware2019 #dysphagia @SpeechPathAus Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Humans swallow at least 500-700 times a day, around three times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake and even more during meals.

17

February 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out