Asthma deaths on the rise after tragic passing of SA sporting hero Ashleigh Young

The number of South Australians who have died from asthma attacks has soared 88 per cent in 12 months – and experts have issued a stark message about the common health issue.

Health experts are growing increasingly concerned about the death rate of asthma in South Australia, with a leading body unable to pinpoint why.

Recently-released statistics saw SA record a drastic rise in asthma fatalities in 2022, with 49 lives lost to the chronic illness in total.

This was 88 per cent more than the previous year, and the highest spike of any state or territory.

This week, the condition claimed yet another life, with heartfelt tributes pouring in for local sporting hero Ashleigh Young, who died of asthma complications on Thursday.

Ms Young, a passionate women’s football co-ordinator at Norwood Football Club, was just 31 when she died in hospital.

Ashleigh Young died this week from asthma complications. Picture: Wilderness School

The influential local women’s footy hero has been remembered as a mother figure, friend and confidant. Picture: Norwood Football Club

CEO of Asthma Australia Michele Goldman told The Advertiser the death rate in South Australia was “unacceptably high”, but the reasons for the spike were unclear.

“We are devastated to hear about the loss of a person with asthma in the prime of their life and who was giving so much back to her community,” Ms Goldman said.

“Asthma is a complex condition that impacts so many Australians.

“The death rate is still unacceptably high, particularly in South Australia, but we still don’t understand why.”

While there have been no formal warnings issued by SA Health about local thunderstorm asthma risks, Ms Goldman said environment can be a factor. High pollen levels are likely in the state after a recent spate of storms.

“The causes of asthma are partly genetic and partly environmental or related to lifestyle factors,” she explained.

“There are many triggers in Australia contributing to the highest asthma rates in the world, these can include poor air quality from bushfire smoke, high pollen levels and mould from floods.”

Ms Goldman said we needed to “do better” to boost research and awareness about the chronic health condition.

“When asthma takes the life of a young woman like this, we know we need to do better. It is another one of 400 such tragic stories that occur every year as a result of asthma. We can and must do better for the one in nine people with asthma in Australia.”

Asthma deaths in Australia increased by 30 per cent in 2022, with South Australia experiencing a shocking 88 per cent rise.

Women aged above 75 were the most at risk, with 45 per cent of deaths from this age group.

There were 467 asthma-related deaths recorded in Australia on a whole in 2022, up from 355 deaths in 2021, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data published by the National Asthma Council Australia in November.

The 2022 deaths included 299 females and 168 males.

NSW recorded the highest number of deaths (147), followed by Victoria (115), Queensland (88), South Australia (49) and WA (40). There were 28 deaths in total recorded in Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory.

The director of National Asthma Council Australia and a respiratory physician, Prof Peter Wark, told The Guardian many asthma deaths related to people not having treatment on hand or using it as prescribed.

“Commonly called a ‘preventer’, inhaled corticosteroids remain the only treatment that clearly reduce acute asthma attacks and asthma deaths for people in all asthma age groups six years and older, and should be used by the majority of people with asthma,” Prof Wark said.

“However, less than a third of people with asthma are regularly prescribed a preventer and, of those, many fail to regularly take their preventer as prescribed by their GP. In addition, uncontrolled use of relievers or ‘puffers’ purchased over the counter without a prescription has been strongly associated with an increased risk of asthma death.”

What is thunderstorm asthma?

Thunderstorm asthma refers to episodes of asthma symptoms which occur when high pollen levels are combined with a thunderstorm.

It can affect those with asthma or hay fever – especially people who experience wheezing or coughing.

In November, large parts of Victoria were similarly put on heightened alert for thunderstorm asthma outbreaks, with emergency departments across the state reporting a spike in asthma-related presentations.

Thunderstorm asthma events have been known to put immense pressure on health systems in the past, most notably in 2016 when Melbourne was subject to the world’s largest epidemic thunderstorm asthma event, killing 10 people and causing thousands of people to seek urgent medical attention.

Preventable condition claims lives

Byron Bay mum dies after collapsing outside pub

Shari-Lee Bromley, 37, was enjoying a celebratory dinner at a pub with friends on November 24 when she suddenly started struggling to breathe.

Despite using her inhaler, she collapsed and was rushed to Byron Bay Hospital.

Her partner Sean Croon had rushed to be by her side only to be told her heart had not been beating properly for 20 minutes.

Ms Bromley leaves behind two young daughters, Indigo, seven, and Sadie, five.

– Carla Mascarenhas

Shari-Lee and her partner Sean Croon. Picture: Facebook

Pregnant woman dies at just 20 years old

In November 2022, pregnant Adelaide woman Hannah Henderson-Wilson was hanging washing up in her backyard moments before a sudden asthma attack killed her and her unborn son.

Hannah Henderson-Wilson was five months pregnant when she died. Picture: Supplied

By the time she called the ambulance and walked to her front yard, she collapsed – and despite six paramedics doing everything they could, Hannah lost her life.

The 20-year-old suffered with asthma since she was born, regularly attending the emergency department with uncontrollable attacks.

But this time the chronic condition killed her and her unborn baby Carter who was five months along.

– Evangeline Polymeaneas

17-year-old Immanuel College student dies suddenly

Breeana Wood died suddenly in October 2022 after an asthma attack.

The teen, who was remembered as a “beautiful girl” by mourners, called Kimba home, but was boarding at Immanuel College during her Year 12 studies.

She celebrated her 17th birthday a month before her death, and passed her provisional driver’s licence test.

Breeana Wood died suddenly in October 2022 after an asthma attack. Picture: Facebook

Immanuel College principal Kevin Richardson distributed a letter to notify the school community of Breeana’s death.

“It is with very great sadness that I inform you of the death of one of our boarders last night,” the letter said.

“Breeana Wood, from Kimba, passed away as a result of an asthma attack.

“We join with Breeana’s family in grief, and it is times such as these that the strength and empathy of our College community comes to the fore as we support each other with our thoughts, our love and our prayers.”

– Lauren Thomas-Nehmy and Kitty Barr