Death (mortality) trends between 2018 and 2022 (ABS)
In 2022, there were 467 deaths with asthma as underlying cause. Compared to previous years, there was:
Number of deaths:
– a 31.5% increase in number of deaths compared to 2021 (355 deaths), as 2021 saw a reduction in deaths due to COVID public health measures resulting in fewer respiratory infections and asthma flare-ups. Asthma flare-ups have now returned to pre-pandemic levels. (Ref 1, 2,3)
– compared to the average number of deaths before the pandemic (2016 to 2019), 2022 saw a 6% increase in asthma deaths (Ref 1)
– important variations between states: QLD and SA sawg more than 80% increase compared to 2021, and 21% and 15% increase respectively compared to pre-pandemic average (2016-2019); WA saw a 19% increase compared to pre-pandemic years (2016-19);
NSW saw a small increase (6%) compared to 2021, and 9% decrease compared to before the pandemic (2016-19) (ref 1; see table on right side)
Age-standardised death rates (better indicator for trends over time): Ref 4
– At 1.3 deaths per 100,000 people, the asthma death rate in 2022 was 30% higher than in 2021, however it remained similar compared to before the pandemic (2018-2019), but higher than in 2021 (1.0 per 100,000)
– variations by jurisdictions: SA fared the worse with 1.8 deaths per 100,000 people, a 80% increase compared to 2021 and a 16% increase compared to before the pandemic (2018-19), followed by QLD with 13% increase compared to 2018-19. NSW and VIC saw a decrease in death rates compared to before the pandemic, at 10% and 4% decrease respectively.
See AA internal presentation: https://asthmafoundation.sharepoint.com/:p:/s/RPA/EZFxO08aJJ5JgIz0I2II7CUBYMjuh8vZDgrccUJDgEQIxg?e=4bgUsl
Asthma Deaths 2022 compared to previous years, National and by jurisdiction
|
2022 deaths |
Average pre-pandemic (2016-2019) |
Average pandemic (2020-2021) |
% increase 2022 vs pre-pandemic |
% increase 2022 vs pandemic |
% increase 2022 vs 2021 |
|
|
Jurisdiction |
Persons |
Persons |
Persons |
% |
% |
% |
|
Australia |
467 |
441.5 |
389.5 |
5.8 |
19.9 |
31.5 |
|
NSW |
147 |
161.75 |
147 |
-9.1 |
0.0 |
5.8 |
|
VIC |
115 |
109.25 |
92.5 |
5.3 |
24.3 |
47.4 |
|
QLD |
89 |
73.75 |
64 |
20.7 |
39.1 |
81.6 |
|
SA |
49 |
42.75 |
32 |
14.6 |
53.1 |
88.5 |
|
WA |
40 |
33.5 |
32 |
19.4 |
25.0 |
14.3 |
|
TAS |
13 |
13.5 |
11.5 |
-3.7 |
13.0 |
8.3 |
|
NT |
3 |
1.75 |
3 |
71.4 |
0.0 |
-50.0 |
|
ACT |
13 |
6.25 |
7 |
108.0 |
85.7 |
62.5 |
|
NT+ACT |
16 |
8 |
10 |
100.0 |
60.0 |
14.3 |
Asthma Deaths rates (age standardised) 2022 compared to previous years, National and by jurisdiction
| Age-standardised asthma death rate (ASR) | average ASR | % increase in ASR | ||||||||
| State or Territory | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2018- 2019 (pre-pandemic) | 2020-2021 (pandemic) | 2022 vs pre-pandemic | 2022 vs pandemic | 2022 vs 2021 |
| ACT | np | np | np | NP | np | NA | NA | |||
| NT | np | np | — | NP | np | NA | NA | |||
| TAS | np | np | np | NP | np | NA | NA | |||
| WA | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.05 | 10 | 4.8 | 10 | |
| SA | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 16.1 | 28.6 | 80 |
| QLD | 1.3 | 1 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.05 | 13 | 23.8 | 62.5 |
| VIC | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.1 | -3.7 | 18.2 | 44.4 | |
| NSW | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.25 | -10.3 | 4 | 8.3 |
| Australia | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.15 | 0 | 13 | 30 |
