Prevalance in First Nations 2018-2019 (AIHW)

Based on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey 2018-2019

15.7% Indigenous Australians reported having asthma in 2018-2019: 13.4% of males and 15.7% of females (ref 1)

An estimated 128,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had asthma in 2018-2019 (16%), with a higher rate among females (18%) compared with males (13%). The prevalence of asthma among Indigenous Australians was was 1.6 times as high as non-Indigenous Australians after adjusting for difference in age structure, and the difference is more marked for older adults. (ref 4)

Asthma was the third most prevalent chronic condition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. (ref 3)

Asthma was the most commonly self-reported long-term respiratory condition in 2018-2019 in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. (ref 1)

Prevalence by age groups: 11.5% of 0-14 yo; 13.8% of 15-24 yo; 15% of 25-34 yo; 17% of 35-44 yo; 20.8% of 45-54 yo; 25.8% of 55+ yo reported having asthma (ref 1 or ref 2)

Prevalence by jurisdictions: 18.6% in NSW; 18.0% in VIC; 13.7% in QLD; 12.6% in WA; 22.7% in SA; 21.9% in TAS; 25.3% in ACT; and 6.2% in NT (ref 2). Note: these statistics are also available stratified by remote/non-remote status in Table D1.04.20

Categories: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, Prevalence, State specific resources
Author: Agnes
Entry Date: 14/02/2023
Source 1 Name: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Regional Insights for Indigenous Communities. Respiratory conditions webpage. Accessed 4 January 2022,
Source 1 URL: https://www.rific.gov.au/Topics/Health-conditions/Respiratory-conditions
Source 2 Name: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Performance Framework. 1.04 Respiratory disease. Table D1.04.20: Indigenous persons reporting asthma, by remoteness, age, sex and state/territory. Accessed Feb 2023
Source 2 URL: https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/1-04-respiratory-disease/data#DataTablesAndResources
Source 3 Name: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Regional Insights for Indigenous Communities. Health conditions. Chronic disease prevalence [Internet]. Accessed 27 May2022.
Source 3 URL: https://www.rific.gov.au/Topics/Health-conditions/Chronic-disease-prevalence
Source 4 Name: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Asthma Web report. Cat. no. ACM 33. Canberra: AIHW. Accessed Oct 2021
Source 4 URL: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/asthma