New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a significant decrease in asthma-related deaths, particularly in Australian women.
Figures show there were 389 asthma-related deaths recorded in Australia in 2018, comprising 250 females and 139 males, which signifies a decrease from 441 in 2017, and 457 in 2016. Those aged 75 and over continue to account for nearly two-thirds of deaths (241 of 389), while deaths in children remain uncommon but can still occur – seven children lost their lives to asthma in 2018.
National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) Chief Executive, Siobhan Brophy, says the significant drop could be attributed to several mitigating factors.
“We believe that increased patient awareness following the epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in Melbourne in 2016 has played a large role in this reduction,” she said.
“The development of new ways to manage severe asthma is also having an impact.”
The NAC has developed a Severe Asthma Checklist for both acute and primary care nurses.
‘The checklist can help nurses in all practice settings better understand the referral pathways available to patients,” said the NAC’s educator Marg Gordon.
‘Nurses in acute settings are crucial to ensuring patients get the care they need for their asthma after they leave hospital, while those working in primary care are ideally placed to provide support and education to all asthma patients,’ she says.
For more information on severe asthma diagnosis and management, visit www.asthmahandbook.org.au.