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), Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) and IQVIA (privately provided pharmaceutical sales) data. For New South Wales, emergency department presentations data were also available. The interactive graphs below 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 emergency department presentations for all respiratory conditions and asthma changed over each week of the bushfire period, compared with the previous year.
These data are broken down by Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) and you can explore different aspects of the data by selecting different measures, views and SA4s.