Asthma Care Plans Key to Keeping Kids Out of Hospital, Study Finds

Asthma Care Plans Key to Keeping Kids Out of Hospital, Study Finds

15 Apr 2026

The study looked at 20 years of asthma hospital data (2000–2019) and found that hospital visits vary depending on where children live, the season, and their age and gender.

Key findings include:

  • Children in hot desert and arid areas had the highest asthma risk, sometimes more than nine times the average
  • Boys had higher hospitalisation rates from ages 0–14, while girls had higher rates during ages 15–19
  • For children aged 0–4, hospital visits peaked in May, mostly among boys
  • Across all ages, boys had a strong spike in February, while girls showed a broader winter pattern

Kerry Hancock from RACGP said the results match what doctors already know about asthma trends.

She explained that asthma is more common in young boys, but this changes after puberty, with higher rates seen in females. She also noted that winter peaks are often linked to respiratory viruses, while the February rise may be related to children returning to school.

The study also found that hospital admissions for children aged 0–4 dropped by more than half over the 20 years, while rates increased in older children. Researchers believe this may be due to changes in how asthma is diagnosed and recorded, rather than a real drop in cases.

Asthma continues to be a major health issue. In 2024, it was the leading cause of disease burden for children aged 1–9.

Dr Hancock said the lower admission rates in younger children could be linked to updated guidelines and changes in how cases are classified. Some children may also be treated in short-stay units and not counted as full hospital admissions.

She added that asthma risks can differ across regions due to factors like climate, allergens, pollution, and access to healthcare. Rural and regional areas may face higher risks because of dust, grass pollen, bushfire smoke, and other environmental factors.

Dr Hancock said the study is a strong reminder that good asthma management is still essential. She believes there has been less focus on asthma care in recent years, with other conditions getting more attention in general practice.

Challenges such as limited time, lower payments for long consultations, and difficulty accessing tests like spirometry can also affect asthma care.

She stressed the importance of regular asthma reviews to check medication use, inhaler technique, and action plans. Since infections are a major trigger for asthma attacks, flu vaccination is also important for both children and adults.

New quick reference guides from the National Asthma Council Australia have also been released to help GPs and their teams manage asthma more effectively. 

https://www1.racgp.org.au/

Source: newsGP

 
 

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