Asthma across Australia
March 27, 2013
INLAND areas of Australia have
higher rates of hospitalisation for
asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, according to
the latest report from the
Australian Health and Welfare
Institute.
Titled Geographic Distribution of
Asthma and Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease hospitalisations
in Australia: 2007-08 to 2009-10,
the report analysed the association
between hospitilisation rates for
asthma and COPD, as well as other
factors such as socioeconomic
status, remoteness and the
proportion of Indigenous
Australians in different locations
across Australia.
According to the findings, for
COPD higher hospitilisation rates
are seen in much of the Northern
Territory and the north-west corner
of Western Australia.
In addition, asthma
hospitalisation rates were also
higher in some Queensland coastal
areas, in the south-east corner of
South Australia and in the southern
part of Western Australia.
“Socioeconomic status was found
to be a significant explanation for
the variation in hospitalisations for
both asthma and COPD across
geographical areas of Australia,”
said AIHW spokesperson Nigel
Harding.
According to the AIHW, the
degree of remoteness and the
proportion of the population who
identified as Indigenous Australians
also explained some of the
variation in hospitalisations, but to
a lesser extent, whilst
environmental factors such as air
pollution or the presence of allergic
triggers may also play a role.
“There are many other reasons
why asthma and COPD
hospitalisation rates may be high in
particular areas, including local
smoking rates, the prevalence of
other health conditions, and issues
related to access to health care
services, which can increase the
likelihood of hospitalisation,” he
added.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 Mar 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 27 Mar 13
Warning: Undefined variable $flipbook_id in
/home/pharmacydaily.com.au/public_html/wp-content/themes/child-custom-theme/functions.php on line
1259
Warning: Undefined variable $o_shortcode_atts in
/home/pharmacydaily.com.au/public_html/wp-content/themes/child-custom-theme/functions.php on line
1263
Warning: Undefined variable $output in
/home/pharmacydaily.com.au/public_html/wp-content/themes/child-custom-theme/functions.php on line
1266
