Almost two-in-three Australian seniors may be jeopardising their ‘golden years’ by not protecting against an often fatal lung infection, despite being at increased risk.

Lung Foundation Australia’s ‘Love Your Lungs at 65 Years Young’ research reveals 94 per cent of Australians aged 65 to 74 do not recognise age as a risk factor for pneumonia, while fewer than half correctly understand vaccination can defend against pneumococcal pneumonia – a severe form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae responsible for 82 per cent of pneumonia cases among those aged 65 years and over.

Lung Foundation Australia research, set for release this Wednesday, April 30, will reveal seniors’ lax attitudes towards, and misunderstanding of the seriousness of pneumonia and importance of protecting against the infection.

To learn more about the ‘Love Your Lungs at 65 Years Young‘ survey and Lung Foundation Australia’s public health campaign designed to curb pneumococcal pneumonia infection rates, coinciding with Pneumonia Awareness Week (April 28 to May 4), watch this space.