Asthma facts & figures

• Australia's asthma prevalence 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 2010 (the latest figures) 416 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 of your asthma

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

More information

Our website has lots more facts and figures about asthma and its management. Check out these sections:

• Brochures and Healthy living fact sheets for tips and advice on managing asthma in daily life
• Medications used to manage asthma
• Reports & Statistics

Visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website for a wide range of data and statistics about asthma.

Sources

Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring. Asthma in Australia 2011. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011. Available at: www.aihw.gov.au
National Asthma Council Australia. Asthma Management Handbook 2006. Melbourne: National Asthma Council Australia, 2006. Available at: www.nationalasthma.org.au

Last updated: 4 April 2012