For 10-year-old Oakley Elliott, a simple cold can quickly turn life-threatening. With her complex asthma, even minor illnesses trigger severe attacks that have sent her to the intensive care unit (ICU) for weeks at a time. "First, I get a cough, then I get tight in the chest because I struggle to breathe. I feel scared because I don't want to go to hospital," Oakley said.
Living in Albury, a regional city in southern New South Wales, her family constantly strives to prevent illness in their household, but it’s no easy task with three other kids, including one in daycare. Oakley’s mum, Ebony Elliott, says the challenges are overwhelming. "If she catches even just a minor cold, she can wind up in ICU. We're all very on edge because we're not sure what the outcome might be."
Sometimes, Oakley’s condition is so severe that she has been airlifted to Melbourne for emergency treatment. On top of this, the family regularly travels to Sydney for specialized medical care. Already this year, Oakley has missed 11 weeks of school, equivalent to a full term, due to her frequent hospital trips.
For many families like the Elliotts living in regional Australia, accessing essential healthcare can be a constant struggle. New research sheds light on why asthma rates are so high in these regions and the social factors contributing to this growing issue.
Asthma Hotspots: Over 400 Regions Identified
Asthma remains a significant health concern in Australia, particularly for children. Around 10% of Australian children up to the age of 14 are affected by the condition, and tragically, asthma claims approximately 400 lives in Australia each year.
A new study published in Global Health Research and Policy reveals that regional Australia bears a disproportionate burden of childhood asthma. The research, conducted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), analyzed census data and identified 465 asthma "hotspots" across the country.
The data, broken down by geographical regions, showed an average childhood asthma rate of 6.27%. These hotspots, however, featured significantly higher rates, and over 60% of them were in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. New South Wales had the highest concentration of hotspots at 38.9%, followed by Victoria (20.9%), Queensland (18.1%), and Tasmania (11%).
The Link Between Disadvantage and Asthma
Study co-author Dr. Nusrat Homaira from UNSW School of Clinical Medicine emphasized the clear link between economic disadvantage and asthma prevalence. "Socio-economic disparities, even in a wealthy country like Australia, play a huge role when we talk about the burden of acute and chronic conditions," Dr. Homaira said.
Environmental factors, such as substandard housing, exposure to mould, dust mites, and air pollution, are more prevalent in lower-income areas and are known triggers for asthma. Overcrowded housing and higher levels of smoking indoors are also common in these regions. Additionally, regional areas often face a shortage of healthcare professionals, further compounding the issue for families in need of regular medical care.
A striking 84% of asthma hotspots were also found to have higher-than-average Indigenous populations, highlighting the intersection of social inequality and health outcomes.
What Can Parents Do to Help?
While these findings are concerning, there are proactive steps parents can take to help manage their child’s asthma, even if they live in a hotspot. According to Anthony Flynn from Asthma Australia, families can:
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Consult regularly with doctors to ensure medications are appropriate
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Reduce the use of gas for cooking and heating or limit children’s exposure to it
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Minimize dust and mould by maintaining a clean home environment
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Consider using air filters to improve indoor air quality
"Just because you live in a hotspot area doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do," Mr. Flynn reassured. He also emphasized the importance of awareness, as children in poorer areas are more likely to have recurrent viral infections and live in environments with higher pollution levels, both risk factors for asthma.
The Personal Cost of Asthma in Regional Areas
For Oakley and her family, living in a regional area with limited access to specialized healthcare has been particularly challenging. "In Albury, they don’t have specialists for lungs, so I have to come to Sydney," Oakley explained.
Thankfully, the family has received support from charitable organizations like Little Wings, which offers free transport to Sydney for Oakley’s treatments, and Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation during their stays. "Without them, this treatment for her would be out of reach," said Ebony.
Looking Forward: Addressing Regional Asthma Disparities
While this study highlights critical issues in asthma management across regional Australia, further research is needed to fully understand the factors driving these disparities. The researchers hope that by identifying these hotspots, resources and interventions can be more effectively targeted to provide better support for children like Oakley.
Though the full list of hotspots was not publicly released, the top 20 locations were published, shining a spotlight on areas that need urgent attention. With better healthcare access, environmental improvements, and community awareness, the burden of asthma can be alleviated for many families across regional Australia.
For the Elliotts, every day is a battle, but they remain hopeful that more can be done to address the challenges faced by families dealing with asthma. As Oakley continues her treatments, her family looks forward to a future where such health disparities are no longer a barrier to living a full and happy life.