November 13th, 2024Asthma deaths decline in Victoria: ABS

Asthma deaths in Victoria have dropped by seven per cent over the last year, Australian Bureau of Statistics data has revealed.

All up, the state accounted for 23 per cent of national asthma deaths with 74 female and 33 male Victorians losing their lives to asthma last year.

Deaths among women aged 55 to 74 underwent the most significant increase, doubling from 10 deaths in 2022 to 20 last year, but women aged over 75 remain most at risk.

But National Asthma Council Director and respiratory physician, Professor Peter Wark says most asthma-related deaths are preventable.

“More effort needs to be made in diagnosing asthma properly and emphasising to patients living with asthma the importance of using an inhaled preventer treatment,” he said.

“Asthma is a chronic disease of inflamed airways and needs to be treated with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid preventer to control symptoms and reduce asthma deaths, not just use of a blue reliever puffer alone.”

Victorians are being urged to see a general practitioner if they have asthma symptoms and to have an updated asthma action plan if they’ve been diagnosed.