Interactive graphs

A range of health data sets were utilised to assess the effects of the 2019–20 bushfire season on health service use, including: 

  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
  • Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)
  • IQVIA (privately provided pharmaceutical sales) data
  • Emergency department presentations data for New South Wales only
  • Air quality data for Australian Capital Territory only

The interactive graphs allow you to explore how rates of PBS respiratory-related prescription dispensing, sales of inhalers for shortness of breath (prescription and over-the-counter), selected MBS item claims and NSW emergency department presentations for all respiratory conditions and asthma changed over each week of the bushfire period, compared with the previous year.