Asthma Facts & Figures

07 February 2012

More than 2 million Australians have asthma – about 1 in 9 or 10 children and about 1 in 10 adults.

  • Our rate is high by international standards
  • The rate of asthma has declined in kids over the past decade but it has remained stable in adults
  • More boys than girls have asthma, but after about age 15 it’s more common in women than men
  • Asthma is more common in Indigenous Australians, particularly adults, than in other Australians
  • In 2009 (the latest figures) 411 people died from asthma, with the risk highest in the elderly

Living with asthma

  • Many people with asthma (around 80%) also have allergies like hay fever
  • People with asthma smoke at least as much as people without asthma, despite the greater impact
  • Around 8% of kids with asthma live with someone who smokes inside the house
  • People with asthma are more likely to take days off work, school or study than other people
  • People with asthma rate their health worse than do people without the condition and report more anxiety and depression – this is common for many chronic diseases
  • Hospital visits for asthma peak in February and May for children, and in winter for adults
  • Many leading sportspeople have asthma, including Australian swimmers Dawn Fraser, Libby Trickett and Grant Hackett, and UK soccer superstar David Beckham

Taking control

With good management, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.

The key steps are:

  • Understand and avoid your asthma triggers
  • See your doctor for regular check-ups and work together to manage your asthma
  • Follow your personal written asthma action plan, developed with your doctor
  • Use your medications as prescribed, even when you feel well
  • Make sure you are using your inhaler (puffer) correctly
  • Live a healthy lifestyle – stop smoking, follow a balanced diet and exercise regularly
     

Tags:

asthma, hay fever, hospital, smoking
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