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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework - Summary report

Respiratory diseases

Chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, make a large contribution to disease burden among First Nations people.

In 2015–2019, 1,498 First Nations people died from respiratory diseases (10% of all deaths), corresponding to 42 deaths per 100,000 population, making this the fourth leading cause of death (data from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined). Most of these deaths were from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (63% of all respiratory disease deaths), pneumonia and influenza (17%), and asthma (5%).

In 2018–19, almost 1 in 3 First Nations people (29% or 238,000) had a long-term respiratory disease (lasting 6 months or more), based on self-reported survey data.

First Nations people living in non-remote areas (32%) reported a higher rate of respiratory disease than those in remote areas (15%). The most commonly reported respiratory conditions for First Nations people were asthma (16%), chronic sinusitis (7.4%) and COPD (3.4%).

After adjusting for differences in the age structure between the two populations, First Nations people were 2.2 times as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to report COPD (5% and 2%, respectively) and 1.6 times as likely to report asthma (18% and 11%, respectively).

Chronic respiratory diseases

Chronic respiratory diseases are long-lasting with persistent effects.

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a serious long-term lung disorder that limits airflow in the lungs. It includes emphysema and bronchitis, and is not fully reversible, even with treatment.
  • Asthma is chronic inflammation of the airways, causing wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. Asthma can usually be managed through appropriate treatment.

The hospitalisation rate for respiratory diseases for First Nations people was highest for those aged 65 years and over (110 hospitalisations per 1,000 population), followed by those aged 0–4 years (85 hospitalisations per 1,000 population) between July 2017 and June 2019. The rate of hospitalisations due to respiratory diseases was higher among First Nations people living in Remote and Very remote areas than among those in non-remote areas (Figure 4.18).

Across all age groups, the hospitalisation rate for respiratory diseases was higher for First Nations people than for non-Indigenous Australians. After adjusting for differences in the age structure between the two populations, the hospitalisation rate of First Nations people for respiratory diseases was 2.4 times the rate for non Indigenous Australians.

Figure 4.18: Rate of hospitalisations due to respiratory disease by Indigenous status and age group, and for First Nations people by remoteness, July 2017 to June 2019

The first column chart shows that for First Nations people, the highest rate of hospitalisation for respiratory disease was among those aged 65 and over (110 per 1,000), followed by those aged 0-4 (85 per 1,000). Across all age groups, the hospitalisation rate for respiratory diseases was higher for First Nations people than for non-Indigenous Australians.The second column chart shows hospitalisations for diseases of the respiratory system among First Nations people were higher in Remote and Very remote areas, compared to Major cities.

Source: Measure 1.04, Table D1.04.6 – ABS and AIHW analysis of National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey 2018–19 and National Health Survey 2017–18; and Measure 1.04, Table D1.04.9 – AIHW analysis of National Hospital Morbidity Database.

Age-standardised rates of hospitalisation from respiratory disease among First Nations people increased over the decade from 2009–2010 to 2018–19. From 2010 to 2019 the age-standardised rate of deaths from respiratory disease increased by 22%. The gap in the death rates due to respiratory diseases for First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians widened by 43% (Figure 4.19).

Figure 4.19: Rate of hospitalisations (2009–10 to 2018–19) and deaths (2010–2019) due to respiratory disease, by Indigenous status (age-standardised)

The first line chart shows that among First Nations people, age-standardised rates of hospitalisation due to respiratory disease increased over the decade from 2009–10 to 2018–19, while rates for non-Indigenous Australians remained similar, widening the gap between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians.The second line chart shows the age-standardised rate of deaths due to respiratory disease between 2010 and 2019. There was little change observed for both First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians over this period.

Notes 
1. Data on hospitalisations from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
2. Data on deaths from New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory combined.
Source: Measure 1.04, Table D1.04.11– AIHW analysis of National Hospital Morbidity Database; and Measure 1.23, Table D1.23.21 – AIHW National Mortality Database.

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