According to a study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare the number of people over 45 dying from asthma attacks has increased in the past five years. In 2006 402 people had died of asthma. 2005 had only 318 deaths related to asthma in comparison. 2006 saw a 40 percent hike from the preceding three years says the report.
The institute released another report that showed that in 2004 to 2005 about 6 million people reported suffering from a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or sinusitis, and overall Australia spent $3.3 billion on these conditions.
Dr Adrian Webster the lead researchers believes that this area has not received enough attention. He said, “What we have found is that ... 92 per cent of deaths due to asthma occurred in those aged 45 years and over…In the last couple of years there does seem to be some indication that either we're plateauing or there in fact may be an increase in the number of deaths.” Dick Ruffin, professor of medicine at the University of Adelaide pointed out that although asthma affects all ages, the elderly are not spared when it comes to getting asthma. He said, “The thought that older people can't get asthma for the first time in later life is incorrect…People can get asthma later on.”
The study emphasizes on early diagnosis. Asthma Australia spokeswoman Debra Kay believes that this study will be an eye opener for many, busting myths and boosting better asthma care. “I think people generally think of asthma as a young person's disease - most people know a child with asthma, but many older Australians have asthma - one in 10 Australians, in fact, has asthma…It's easy for older Australians to think that their shortness of breath is just older age, and that's what happens, but that's not the case.” Matthew Peters, a respiratory specialist at the University of Sydney echoed these thoughts and urged more recent studies to assess the depth of the problem.
Exposure to everyday chemicals during pregnancy may raise asthma risk in children