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, exercise, weather events, occupational exposures (wood, dust), environmental factors (bushfire smoke), 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:

lower socioeconomic status [51571]
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 [50170]. Asthma also affects the quality of life of sufferers with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reporting poorer health and higher levels of psychological distress compared to people without asthma[48186]. As there is no cure for asthma, management of the condition and symptoms is the main form of treatment [42101]. Access to culturally secure primary health care and promotion of public health strategies that address asthma risk factors will drive more effective disease management and prevention of symptoms in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with asthma.