Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed, narrowed, swollen and sometimes blocked by mucus, making it hard to breathe [44298].

Asthma can be triggered by viral respiratory infections, allergens, cigarette smoke and exercise, weather events, medicines and stress [49119]. Common symptoms may include wheezing, feeling short of breath, tightness in the chest and coughing [44298].

The exact causes of asthma are unknown, however, the following factors are thought to contribute to it occurring:

• genetics
• exposure to tobacco smoke in the womb, or as a baby or child
• air pollution
• mouldy houses
• being born premature or with a low birth weight
• prolonged intense exercise (occurring over several years) [44298].

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory condition among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and a leading cause of hospitalisation [39231]. This may be due to risks such as smoking, as well as a lack of access to culturally appropriate health services and other social and environmental contributors. These must be addressed to support positive asthma outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [35131].