Risk and protective factors

There are several risk and protective factors that impact respiratory health. Risk and protective factors can be genetic, related to lifestyle or environmental factors [44908].

While genetic factors such as family history cannot be changed, those relating to behaviour, lifestyle and some environmental factors can be altered to reduce the risk of people getting respiratory diseases [44908].

To help protect against respiratory disease, people should be supported to:

• not smoke tobacco and avoid second-hand smoke
• maintain a healthy body weight
• eat a healthy diet
• be physically active
• limit alcohol consumption
• practice good hygiene
• get the recommended vaccinations [33965][44726][44727][44728].

In addition, to protect respiratory health, people should have access to safe environments free from risk factors such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, allergens and occupational hazards [33965].

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, specific risk factors for respiratory disease include premature birth, low birthweight, inadequate nutrition, air pollution, high rates of infections, poverty and poor access to appropriate healthcare, which can be linked to colonisation and systemic racism [48951].

Mitigating the risk factors for respiratory disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requires the prioritisation of local, co-designed initiatives, as well as culturally appropriate communication and health services, and the equitable use of resources [48951][42101].