Overview

Respiratory conditions affect the airways, including the lungs as well as the passages that transfer air from the mouth and nose into the lungs. They can be long lasting (chronic) or short term (acute) and can cause ill health, disability and death.

More reports and statistics on respiratory conditions can be found under Chronic disease.

Latest findings

1 in 5 people aged 15 and over with asthma have a written asthma action plan, based on 2014–15 self-reported survey data COPD was the 5th leading cause of death in 2015 About 421 deaths were due to asthma in 2015 1 in 9 Australians reported having asthma in 2014–15 1 in 20 Australians aged 45 and over reported having COPD in 2014–15

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Highlights

31%of Australians reported having asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions in 2014–15—around 7 million people
1 in 9Australians reported having asthma in 2014–15
COPDwas the 5th leading cause of death in 2015 (4.5% of all deaths)
1 in 5people aged 15 and over with asthma have a written asthma action plan, based on self-reported survey data
9 in 10Australians with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reported having at least one other chronic condition, in 2014–15
1 in 20Australians aged 45 and over reported having COPD in 2014–15
421deaths were due to asthma in 2015 (0.3% of all deaths)