With winter about to hit, the National Asthma Council Australia is using the latest asthma death toll statistics as an urgent wake up call for Australians to take asthma seriously.

According to the new data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 449 people died from asthma in 2008.

This represents an increase in mortality of just over 16 per cent, compared with 2007 data. However during the last decade the overall numbers of asthma deaths have decreased by around 35 per cent.

“We have to consider any increase in the annual death rate seriously,” said National Asthma Council Australia Chair, Dr Noela Whitby AM.

“Australia has one of the highest prevalence rates of asthma in the world.

“The condition is so widespread that there can be a tendency to shrug it off and take it for granted, which is something we must never do. Anyone with asthma should make sure they are working with their doctor to achieve the best possible control of their symptoms.

“We need to take asthma seriously to stop the death toll climbing further,” she warned.

While deaths from asthma were recorded in all age groups in 2008, Dr Whitby points at older Australians as the group most at risk of dying from asthma. In 2008, over 76 per cent of asthma deaths occurred in adults aged 60 years and over, with 343 deaths recorded in this group.

“This statistic is in line with our ageing population, but some of these deaths may have been preventable. Older people often have other respiratory and chronic conditions.” Dr Whitby urged people with asthma and their carers to be particularly vigilant over the coming winter months.

“Winter brings added complications for people with asthma,” she said.

“Winter viruses and flu are common triggers for asthma symptoms and some people find that cold air is also a trigger.

“We can’t cure asthma but it can be controlled with asthma medication and by following an up to date written asthma action plan,” Dr Whitby advised.

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