The first Australians are more common in a hospital with asthma and allergies – up-to-date research

Australia is often called the world’s allergy capital. Allergic diseases – such as allergic asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergies – affect Almost one in five people. And this character is It is expected to increase in the coming years.

Allergy happens when the body’s immune system incorrectly responds to some foods or other substances, as if they were threatening.

But do allergies affect all Australians equally?

IN Last examinationWe looked at the presentations of the Emergency Department (ED) associated with asthma and other allergic diseases in Central Queensland. The region has Population 228 246 According to the latest census and 7.2% of residents, the first nations are identified as the first nations.

We discovered that Australians from the first nations were almost twice as exposed to a hospital with asthma or other allergy diseases compared to other Australians.

What we did and found

We analyzed 813 112 ED Presentations From 12 public hospitals at Central Queensland in 2018–2023. Hospitals were spread out in regional and distant areas.

Of the conditions we looked at, asthma was most likely that he brought patients to ED. Then there were indefinite allergies, atopic dermatitis (or eczema) i anaphylaxis (Severe, potentially life -threatening allergic reaction). People from the first nations more often than other Australians presented with each of these conditions.

In general, we found that people from the first nations were almost twice as exposed to ED in the field of asthma or allergic diseases compared to other Australians. It should be noted that asthma is not always caused by allergies, and in this study we looked at all presentations of asthma, regardless of the cause.

Our study also showed ED visits to allergic diseases among the first nations that increased over time. They were about 1.5 times more recurrent in 2023 compared to 2018.

In addition, we found a significant peak of asthma -related visits to ED among the people of the first nations in 2019. This growth could have been partly caused by Australian summer fires in 2019–2020.

Other tests He showed ED visits and hospitalizations about asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease increased during black summer fires of the bushes. Exposure to smoke with fire in the bushes significantly increases the risk breathing problems and other health problems.

The augment in ED visits related to asthma can also be associated with Heavy flu season in 2019Because it is known that flu causes asthma attacks.

Are these discoveries surprising?

Domestic data It shows that asthma is one of the most commonly reported chronic diseases for Australians of the first nations. Over 16% of Australians from the first nations reported asthma in 2022–23 compared to 10.8% General Australian population.

It is not completely surprising that hospital presentations for asthma were higher among the people of the first nations.

However, we were surprised when the people of the first nations visited ED more often in the case of other allergic diseases. Allergies were not necessarily considered an crucial problem among the people of the first nations, especially in distant areas.

Having said International studies reported a greater burden Allergic and atopic diseases (Eczema, hay fever and asthma) among the native people of Canada.

What about food allergies?

Interestingly, we have not found any food allergies in our data. But some “indefinite” allergies may be associated with food allergies, as well as some cases of anaphylaxis.

Australian researchers they found differences in dissemination food allergies Among the different groups, but they lacked specific data on the population of the first nations. We don’t know much about how common food allergies are in Australians of the first nations.

In the last National Survey12% of people from the first nations reported an allergy to food, drug or other substance (compared to 14% in the overall population). But some cases may become unrecognized or unrecognized, and these data have not been divided into different types of allergies.

Some restrictions

This is the first comprehensive study, if we know, looking at asthma and ED visits related to allergic disease among the people of the first nations, as well as other Australians in the underestimated part of Australia.

However, we only looked at asthma and allergic diseases treated in ED, which does not cover all cases. For example, some people can visit other health services, such as GPS when they have a less hefty allergic episode.

Ultimately, we need more research to better understand how common allergies and allergic diseases belong to the Australians of the first nations.

Why do these gaps exist?

We do not know exactly why there are differences in ED presentations for allergic diseases between people from the first nations and other Australians.

One of the possibilities is that asthma and allergic diseases can be more stern in the people of the first nations, which leads to more hospital visits, even if they are not more common.

Another reason may be restricted access to specialists, especially in rural communities and distant first nations. Long waiting lists Seeing allergic doctors and their restricted availability in some areas can lead to delays in care and hinder appropriate treatment. This can worsen the symptoms of asthma and allergic disease, causing patients looking for ED care.

We want to learn more about how allergies affect the people of the first nations, especially in regional and distant areas, and whether people have unmet needs. During preliminary conversations with the first nations, Australians living with food allergy we heard that allergies may not be well understood in rural areas. This may be due to the fact that they are infrequent or because customary lifestyles offer some protection.

We are interested to learn more, especially whether allergies are a problem for people from the first nations, and if so, how can we support communities in the development of targeted and culturally respectful strategies to take care of them.