Qld’s deadly lung disease hotspots revealed in shocking new data

Queensland’s regional areas have emerged as ground zero for a devastating lung disease epidemic that kills 7600 Australians annually.

Queensland has the highest number of hotspots for deadly lung diseases, and vaping and illegal tobacco has added to the grim health landscape.

Red alert areas for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, are in both metropolitan and regional Queensland.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Nick Yim blamed the failure on governments to act swiftly to combat the rise of vaping, illegal tobacco and other smoking products.

“Unfortunately, we know Queenslanders suffer from poorer health outcomes than other parts of the country, particularly patients living in areas with barriers to accessing health care,” Dr Yim said.

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“COPD can be caused by a range of factors but the state’s rates of smoking and other risk factors that cause lung disease are higher than in other states and territories.”

More Australians die from COPD than prostate and breast cancer combined.

The Fraser Coast has the highest number of cases with 34,363, Bundaberg has 29,024, Gympie 15,597, Southern Downs 10,390, South Burnett 9539, Brisbane 9014 and the Cassowary Coast 8065.

“What we need is what we know works — access to affordable and high quality general practice care that treats the whole patient, identifying disease early before it progresses and implementing early management strategies,” Dr Yim said.

“Patients in lower socio-economic areas often struggle to afford health care and regular doctor visits to keep on top of their health.

“That is why it is essential the Australian government increase Medicare rebates instead of the bulk billing incentives.”

The COPD data comes from a new report unveiled in Australian Parliament House this week, which identifies this “preventable and treatable, yet shockingly common” lung condition as responsible for more than 7600 deaths each year and more potentially preventable hospital admissions than any other cause.

The report by health advisory firm Evohealth outlines the desperate need for improvement in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of COPD.

Early symptoms include breathlessness, persistent cough or wheeze and increased mucus production, which can worsen without effective management, causing frequent chest infections and progressive loss of lung function.

“COPD has multiple risk factors and causes and age is one of them. We know patients are at higher risk of developing chronic conditions as they age but many of these are preventable.

That’s why it’s so important that everyone has a regular, trusted GP who can help them take care of their health before issues arise,” Dr Yim said.

Originally published as Qld’s deadly lung disease hotspots revealed in shocking new data