Proportion of people with asthma with a written asthma action plan

Definition: The proportion of people who self-report having ever being told by a doctor or nurse that they have asthma, who said they had a written asthma action plan. An asthma plan is generally prepared for patients with asthma by a health-care professional and provides written instructions on how to recognise and respond to worsening asthma.

Sources: ABS 2009b, 2013a, 2017d; Table S1.4.32.

  • In 2014–15, an estimated 2.5 million people (11%) reported having asthma as a long-term health condition (ABS 2017d).
  • Of people who reported having asthma as a long-term condition, 28% reported having a written asthma action plan; an increase from 21% in 2007–08.
  • Among all people with asthma, children aged 0–14 were the most likely to have a written asthma action plan (57%).

For more information, see Chapter 3.11 'Chronic respiratory conditions'.