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Australia
has the
second highest prevalence of asthma in the world. The reasons for
this are unclear.
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In
Australia, asthma affects around 12% of the population (over two million people),
leading to nearly 40,000 hospitalisations and 314 deaths in 2003.
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Over 660,000 Victorians have asthma, with 79 deaths in 2003.
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The incidence of asthma is steadily increasing, with the number of
people with asthma doubling between 1982 and 1992.
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Approximately 1 in 4 children, 1 in 7 adolescents, and 1 in 10
adults have asthma (that has been diagnosed by a doctor). Indigenous
Australians have more problems with asthma than other Australians.
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Asthma is one of the most common reason for childhood admission to
hospital.
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The majority of people with asthma do not have a written Asthma
Action Plan.
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Many people with asthma who could benefit from using regular
preventer medication are not using it.
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The cost to the Australian community is estimated to be in excess of
$720 million pa, the cost to companies through absenteeism of those with
asthma is $110 million per year and the cost of carer absence is in
excess of $120 million per year.
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Exposure to allergens such as dust mites, pollens and moulds
increase the risk of chronic allergy and asthma later in life.
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Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be managed. Education and
understanding are the key to good asthma management.
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About 40% of all
Australians will have respiratory symptoms consistent with asthma at
some time in their lives. There is evidence of increasing asthma
prevalence and severity in children.
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In 2000, 454 Australians
died from asthma.
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Many deaths are
preventable. Allergy is an important cause of asthma in both adults and
children.
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Asthma ranks among the
ten most common reasons for seeing a general practitioner.
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Asthma is the most
common medical cause for hospital admission in children.
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Poorly controlled asthma
restricts participation in normal physical and social activities.
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Education, together with
drug therapy and an effective treatment plan, reduces morbidity and
mortality.
