A range of health data sets were utilised to assess the effects of the 2019–20 bushfire season on respiratory health, including Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and IQVIA (privately provided pharmaceutical sales) data.
For the Australian Capital Territory, detailed air quality data from three monitoring stations were also utilised. The interactive graphs below allow you to explore how rates of respiratory-related prescription dispensing and sales of inhalers for shortness of breath (prescription and over-the-counter) changed over each week of the bushfire period, compared with rates from the previous year. Air quality data (PM2.5) are also shown.
You can explore different aspects of the data by selecting either PBS respiratory-related prescriptions dispensed or sales of inhalers for shortness of breath, and by selecting the weekly average or highest measure of air quality (PM2.5).