Health of the Nation Asthma

ASTHMA What is it? A long-term medical condition in which airways are too sensitive and over-reactive Characterised by “attacks”, which have symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing Symptoms are caused by 3 main problems inside airways: – muscle constriction – inflammation – excessive mucus Attacks are normally reversible, and are controlled by good self- management, including appropriate medication use

Extent of Asthma Prevalence Australia has one of highest prevalence rates in the world 30-40% of Australians will have symptoms consistent with asthma at some time million Australians reported having asthma (2004/5) This is over 10% of the total population Highest prevalence is in the 15 – 24 yr age group (12.4%)

Commonly reported long term conditions

Prevalence : Gender mix Australia: Males 9%, females 11.5% NSW adults: 8.8% males, 12% females In males, prevalence is much higher in childhood (16.5%)

Trends Prevalence increased in the 1980’s to mid-90’s Recently the trend has plateaued, and may have reversed in children (i.e. reducing) Hospitalisation rates reduced by 46% between and Over this time, the self-reported prevalence increased, so a reduction in hospitalisations may mean better asthma management outside hospitals, but this is not clear nor proven

Self-reported prevalence

Extent of Asthma Cost to individuals: Quality of life Up to 60 % of people with asthma have night-time symptoms at some point Majority of people are triggered by vigorous exercise One of the most common reasons for hospitalisation and ED visits in children

Extent of Asthma Cost to individuals: mortality Death rates have fallen steadily since early 90’s Current average around 300/year, mostly over 55’s 0.3% of deaths in NSW Many are avoidable Major risk factors: – delay in seeking help – failure to recognise the severity of asthma

Asthma death rates Deaths per 100,000 people

Cost to society One of top ten reasons to see a GP Major cause of work and school absenteeism, reduced productivity Good disease management is proven to significantly lower costs and usage of the health care system, even in severe asthma 45% of costs might be saved if optimal control was achieved for all people with severe asthma

Cost to society Financial (based on 2000/1) ~$700 million/year (1.4% of total recurrent health spend) This covers pharmaceutical prescriptions, devices, medical consults and hospital services More than half of this is for medications, and the highest spend is in children This increased by 21% from 93/4, but overall health expenditure increased by 26%, so this is below average

Groups affected Inequities Little difference across the country Variations in prevalence in some specific geographic areas, but no real difference between urban and rural Difference truly lies in the impact of the disease, e.g. in areas such as – access to services – trigger factors

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 16% prevalence overall in Aboriginal population Prevalence significantly higher in Aboriginal females than non-Aboriginal females Hospitalisation rates higher in Indigenous communities Access to services/remoteness can also be an issue Smoking rates are around 50% - common trigger, and also accelerates the loss of lung function

CALD/NESB Prevalence significantly lower in those from a non-English- speaking background

Economically disadvantaged Significantly higher prevalence in lower income households Higher hospitalisation rates High rates of smoking

Older people High death rates Difficulties in awareness and accurate diagnosis High levels of hospitalisation in winter months

Government Input Expenditure Health Priority: $8 million over 3 years 2001: Further funding to support best practice management 2005: $27.1 million over 4 years – also $27.6 million in Medicare GP incentives

Government input Activities Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring established 2002 National Asthma Strategy written for – a framework for continued efforts to improve asthma care pdf pdf National Service Improvement Framework – identifies where Australia might best spend money to reduce the impact of asthma

Financials Local level funding Government grants allocated to specific projects and programs – E.g. Asthma Friendly Schools Program – E.g. Community Support Program Other funding to Asthma Foundation NSW – donations, bequests – grants from trusts and foundations for specific programs

What’s being done? Prevention Management Cure??

What’s being done? Prevention/Management/Cure?? Prevention – rallying govt around issues such as smoking Cure – significant amounts of money put into research towards a cure Management – most of input goes into this area

Health Promotion Programs National Asthma Week 2007 Donated funding received from Volvo National Campaign developed, movie/teaser style Community Service Announcement on TV Focus on viral s Aimed at young males – hard group to reach ASTHMA IS SERIOUS

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Health Promotion Programs Asthma Friendly ® Schools National Program, Federally funded Aim to create asthma friendly environments Aimed to be streamlined nationally, though there are variations in implementation in each state Across the country, current target is that 80% of schools are working towards, and 50% of schools are Asthma Friendly

Asthma Friendly Schools 3 Main areas – staff education – safety equipment available – policies in place to support education and equipment use Outcomes: – staff can safely deal with an asthma emergency at any time – kids at school with asthma are supported and understood – should avert deterioration in asthma attack, and attacks should be managed quickly and effectively, thus with better health outcomes

Details Websites to visit Australian Government: – For consumers; Health Priorities; Asthma Asthma – Expert View. Christine Jenkins. – (asthma) Asthma Foundation NSW: Asthma Foundations Australia National Asthma Council: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare :

Details Other references used The Health Dollar in Australia. Gordon Gregory, National Rural Health Alliance. 9 th National Rural Health Conference, 7-10 March Health of the people of NSW, Chief Health Officer Report NSW Health 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics: National Health Survey