Chronic respiratory diseases in Australia: their prevalence, consequences and prevention
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and emphysema, are very prevalent in Australia. They disrupt the daily life and productivity of many individuals and lead to thousands of deaths each year. Many of these diseases are largely preventable and manageable.This report brings together data from a variety of sources to highlight the prevalence and impact of chronic respiratory diseases in Australia. The information included in this report will be relevant to policy makers, the broader community and anyone with an interest in the respiratory diseases.
Asthma in Australia 2005
Asthma is an important health problem in Australia. This report brings together data from a wide range of sources to describe the current status of Asthma in Australia. It includes information on the number of people who have asthma, who receive various treatments for asthma, who have written asthma action plans, and who visit their GP, are hospitalised or die due to asthma. Health care expenditure for asthma is also discussed. In addition, a chapter has been included in this report that focuses on asthma in Australian children.
Health care expenditure and the burden of disease due to asthma in Australia
This report provides a summary of two aspects of the economic impact of asthma in Australia: health care expenditure on asthma and burden of disease attributable to asthma-related disability and premature mortality. The information contained in this report will help guide the formation of health policy in relation to asthma.
Enhancing asthma-related information for population monitoring: asthma data development plan 2005
Targeting and evaluating interventions to improve asthma outcomes, a National Health Priority Area, requires good quality and timely data. The Australian System for Monitoring Asthma, in consultation with various stakeholders, has developed a systemic plan to improve the quality of existing data. In addition to developing time-series, the plan allows for national data development to catch up for indicators that are not able to be monitored currently.
Measuring the impact of asthma on quality of life in the Australian population
This report provides a comprehensive review of approaches to measuring the impact of asthma on quality of life that can be used in population-based monitoring. It is concluded that no single measure can be used in all circumstances. Rather, selection from the range of alternative measures should be based on the specific monitoring task and the attributes that are most relevant to that task. This report is intended for use by policy makers, data agencies and researchers involved in measuring population health. While the main focus is on population monitoring in relation to asthma, the findings will be of interest to those whose focus is on other chronic diseases.
Injury risk factors, attitudes and awareness, a submission to the CATI-TRG
Computer assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) is a methodology increasingly utilised in the public health arena both in Australia and internationally. The CATI Technical Reference Group, in collaboration with other key organisations, is currently developing a national pool of question modules addressing a wide range of public health topics. These surveillance system modules include such topics as asthma, diabetes, physical activity, and nutrition. This paper contributes to the development of a module addressing injury.
Review of proposed National Health Priority Area asthma indicators and data sources
This report provides a background to defining and measuring National Health Priority Area (NHPA) indicators for asthma. The issues surrounding the selection, operational definition and measurement of indicators for asthma are presented. The report incorporates the view of stakeholders who were consulted in the development process through workshops around Australia.