Swallowing Awareness Day

What is dysphagia?

Swallowing difficulty, also known as dysphagia, is any problem with sucking, swallowing, chewing, eating, drinking, controlling saliva, taking medication, or protecting the lungs from food and drink entering the airway.

Some people may cough, gag or choke when eating or drinking. Others may have difficulty keeping their lips closed, causing food, liquid or saliva to dribble out.

When swallowing does not work properly, food, drink or saliva can enter the lungs, which can lead to chest infections such as pneumonia. Reflux can also affect swallowing, where stomach contents move back up the oesophagus and sometimes reach the throat or mouth.

Why swallowing matters?

Like breathing, swallowing is essential to everyday life. Most people swallow 500–700 times a day, around 3 times an hour during sleep, once per minute while awake, and more often during meals.

More than one million Australians live with dysphagia, and it can occur at any stage of life. Despite this, awareness of swallowing difficulties and their impact remains low.

What is Swallowing Awareness Day?

Swallowing Awareness Day helps raise awareness of dysphagia and the impact it can have on people’s health and quality of life. It also highlights the role of speech pathologists, who assess and support people with swallowing needs.

Learn more about swallowing difficulty.

References

*Bernard-Bonin A. Feeding problems in infants and toddlers. Canadian Family Physician 2006; 52(4): 1247-1251 

Reilly S, Skuse DH, Poblete X. The prevalence of feeding problems and oral motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy: a community survey. Journal of Paediatrics 1996; 129(6): 877-882. 

Lee JH, Chang YS, Yoo HS, Ahn SY, Seo HJ, Choi SH, Jeon GW, Koo SH, Hwang JH, Park WS. 2011. Swallowing dysfunction in very low birth weight infants with oral feeding desaturations. World Journal of Pediatrics 2011; 7(4): 337-343. 

[1] Panebianco M, Marchese-Ragona R, Masiero S, Restivo DA. Dysphagia in neurological diseases: a literature review. Neurol Sci. 2020 Nov;41(11):3067-3073. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04495-2. Epub 2020 Jun 7. PMID: 32506360; PMCID: PMC7567719. 

[2] https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/3/863 

[3] Banda, K.J., Chu, H., Kang, X.L. et al. Prevalence of dysphagia and risk of pneumonia and mortality in acute stroke patients: a meta-analysis. BMC Geriatr 22, 420 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02960-5 

[4] Panebianco M, Marchese-Ragona R, Masiero S, Restivo DA. Dysphagia in neurological diseases: a literature review. Neurol Sci. 2020 Nov;41(11):3067-3073. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04495-2. Epub 2020 Jun 7. PMID: 32506360; PMCID: PMC7567719. 

[5] Panebianco M, Marchese-Ragona R, Masiero S, Restivo DA. Dysphagia in neurological diseases: a literature review. Neurol Sci. 2020 Nov;41(11):3067-3073. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04495-2. Epub 2020 Jun 7. PMID: 32506360; PMCID: PMC7567719. 

[6] Public Health England. (2016). People with learning disabilities in England 2015: Main report 

 

Case studies

Julie's story: A head and neck cancer survivor

Following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, speech pathologists played a vital role in supporting Julie with swallowing and communication. Read more

Supporting inclusive dining for people with dysphagia

For many people living with dysphagia, something as simple as meeting friends or family at a café can become difficult. Read more

Digital resources

Download the digital resources below and share across your social media and communication networks.

And, remember to use #SwallowAware2026 each time you post and share.

Download the digital kit

Other resources 

Explore dysphagia resources you can listen to, read or watch!

Learn more

Revised dysphagia practice guideline

Read our updated Practice Guideline: Dysphagia. This guideline replaces the 2012 Dysphagia clinical guideline.