The National Health Priority Areas (NHPA) is an initiative of the Department of Health to outline and address the health conditions and injuries that create burden for the Australian health system (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2017). One of the priority areas is asthma, a chronic condition of the respiratory system with no cure (AIHW 2017). Asthma affects one in nine Australians, making it a large burden on the health system, which is why it should remain on the NHPA (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2015).
Asthma is an inflammatory condition that is normally set off by different triggers and particulates, which leads to the tightening of the airways in the lungs and …show more content…
Furthermore, males aged 5-34 years have a higher mortality rate than women, which can be seen in Figure 1 (AIHW 2014). Over the ages of 35+, women have a higher death rate than males, which may be due to the higher prevalence in women (AIHW 2014; Figure 1). According to The Hidden Cost of Asthma report (2015), 64% of asthma deaths are female, while the 36% are male.
Between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups, asthma is more prevalent in Indigenous populations; in 2012-13, it is reported that one in six Indigenous Australians has asthma (ABS 2013). Compared to non-Indigenous populations (10.2% of the population), 18% of the Indigenous population has asthma (ABS 2013). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women reported higher rates of asthma compared men, with 20% and 15% of the subgroups respectively (ABS …show more content…
No. 4364.0.55.001, ABS, viewed 15 March 2017, < http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/CDA852A349B4CEE6CA257F150009FC53/$File/national%20health%20survey%20first%20results,%202014-15.pdf>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011, Asthma in Australia with a focus chapter on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, viewed 15 March 2017, < http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129544677>.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2013, Asthma hospitalisations in Australia 2010-11, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, viewed 21 March 2017, < http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129544536>.
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