GSK and Earvin “Magic” Johnson Partner to Raise Awareness of Risk of RSV in Older Adults
March 14 2023 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
- GSK launches national health education campaign, Sideline RSV,
to highlight risk of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
- Adults at highest risk for severe RSV infection include older
adults and adults with chronic heart and lung disease.
GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) has partnered with Earvin “Magic”
Johnson to launch Sideline RSV, a new health education campaign
aimed to help older adults and their loved ones better understand
the risks and potential seriousness of RSV infection and how to
help protect themselves.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230314005817/en/
RSV is a common, contagious, and potentially serious respiratory
virus.1,2 It is typically mild and can affect anyone, but adults at
highest risk for severe RSV infection include older adults, and
adults with chronic heart and lung disease.3 Each year
approximately 177,000 adults 65 and older are hospitalized in the
US due to RSV and an estimated 14,000 of those cases result in
death.4 For adults 60 and older, some data suggest that there is an
increased risk for severe RSV infection that can lead to
hospitalization.5,6
Johnson will help spark important conversations and help educate
around the risks of RSV among older adults. He has spent more than
30 years as a passionate public health advocate and it is his
personal mission to empower others to become more educated about
their health.
“My health is a top priority, yet like so many others, I was
unaware that older adults are one of the highest risk groups for
severe RSV infection, no matter how healthy they feel,” said
Johnson. “Throughout my life, I’ve learned the importance of
staying up-to-date on potential health risks that come with aging.
That’s why I’m teaming up with GSK to bring this critical RSV
conversation to center court and inspire people to understand their
risks to help Sideline RSV.”
The Sideline RSV campaign will include a website with a message
from Johnson and information about RSV, social media content, and
community-focused events. In addition to Sideline RSV, Johnson will
appear in a variety of educational content to highlight the risks
of RSV in older adults, including those with certain underlying
conditions.
“Cases of RSV in children are widely known, encouraging
conversations around the risk of RSV among older adults will help
increase the understanding and awareness for this group,” said
Leonard Friedland, MD, VP and Director of Scientific Affairs and
Public Health, at GSK. “There is no vaccine or specific treatment
available for RSV in older adults. If you’re an older adult,
including those with certain underlying medical conditions, it’s
especially important to know your risk factors for RSV and speak
with a healthcare provider if you develop cold-like symptoms.”
Older adults are more likely to have severe outcomes from RSV
because the immune system typically weakens as people age.3 Adults
with certain underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma or chronic heart failure (CHF) are
at an increased risk of developing serious respiratory issues.3 RSV
can exacerbate these conditions, which can lead to severe outcomes,
such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death.2,7
Visit www.SidelineRSV.com to learn more about the campaign.
About Sideline RSV Sideline RSV is a health education
campaign to help older adults and their loved ones know the risks
of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The campaign will help bring
the RSV conversation among older adults center court to educate
around the risk for severe complications from RSV. This national
campaign will educate older adults and their loved ones on how to
help protect against RSV by helping people understand their risks
for RSV and encourage them to talk with their doctor and other
healthcare professionals.
About respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults
RSV is a common contagious virus affecting the lungs and breathing
passages.1,2 It is one of the major remaining infectious diseases
for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment available for
adults. Typical symptoms of RSV include fever, cough, sore throat,
runny nose, congestion, headache and tiredness.8 RSV can spread
easily when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes and is likely
to be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface before
touching the eyes, nose or mouth.1 Things that can be done to help
prevent the spread of RSV include hand washing, and avoiding close
contact with others.3 RSV is typically contagious for 3-8 days.1
Some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, can be
contagious for as long as 4 weeks.1 Each year approximately 177,000
adults 65 years and older are hospitalized in the US due to RSV and
an estimated 14,000 of those cases result in death.4 For adults 60
and older, some data suggest that there is an increased risk for
severe RSV infection that can lead to hospitalization.5,6 RSV can
exacerbate certain conditions, such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and chronic heart failure and can
lead to severe outcomes, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and
death.2,7
About GSK GSK is a global biopharma company with a
purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of
disease together. Find out more at gsk.com/company.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or
projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement,
are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors
include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2021, GSK’s Q2 Results for 2022 and
any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Registered in England & Wales: No. 3888792
Registered Office: 980 Great West Road Brentford,
Middlesex TW8 9GS
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV Transmission.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html.
Accessed March 2023.
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Respiratory
Syncytial Virus in Older Adults: A Hidden Annual Epidemic. 2016.
Available at:
https://www.nfid.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/rsv-report.pdf.
Accessed March 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RSV in Older
Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.html. Accessed March
2023.
- Falsey AR, et al. N Engl J Med 2005; 352:1749-1759 DOI:
10.1056/NEJMoa043951. Accessed March 2023.
- Tseng HF, Sy LS, Ackerson B, et al. Severe morbidity and short-
and mid- to long-term mortality in older adults hospitalized with
respiratory syncytial virus infection. J Infect Dis.
2020;222(8):1298-1310. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiaa361. Accessed March
2023.
- Belongia EA, King JP, Kieke BA, et al. Clinical features,
severity, and incidence of RSV illness during 12 consecutive
seasons in a community cohort of adults ≥60 years old. Open Forum
Infect Dis. 2018;5(12):ofy316. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofy316. Accessed
March 2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For Healthcare
Providers. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/clinical/index.html. Accessed March
2023.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms and Care.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html. Accessed
March 2023.
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