Comorbidities 2020-2021 (AIHW)

Prevalence data based on the National Health Survey 2020-2021 indicated that: (ref1)
– Asthma is the fourth most commonly reported chronic condition at 10.7% of the population (9.4% in males and 12% in females), after mental or behavioural conditions (20%); back problems (16%) and arthritis (12%) (amongst the 9 selected chronic conditions reported in the survey)
– 20% of Australians had 2 or more chronic conditions in 2017-18 (23% of females vs 18% of males), becoming 51% of people aged 65+

According to the National health Survey 2020-2021, 78% of people aged 45 and over who currently have asthma also reported having one of the 9 selected chronic conditions. Specifically, in 2020-2021, among people aged 45 and over that have asthma: (ref 2)
– 42% had arthritis (compared with 26% among people without asthma)
– 33% had back problems (compared with 23% among people without asthma)
– 31% had heart, stroke, and vascular disease (compared with 22% among people without asthma)
– 20% had mental and behavioural conditions (compared with 11% among people without asthma)
– 14% had COPD (compared with 1.9% among people without asthma)
– 13% had osteoporosis or osteopenia (compared with 7.6% among people without asthma)