Asthma Deaths Highlight Need for Stronger GP-Led Care in Australia
11 Nov 2026
Asthma continues to take a significant toll in Australia, with 484 deaths recorded in 2025. The National Asthma Council is urging a stronger team-based approach to help improve asthma management and reduce preventable deaths.
The latest figures show little change from 2024, when 481 Australians died from the condition. Female deaths also remained consistently higher, accounting for around two-thirds of asthma-related deaths.
New South Wales reported the highest number of asthma-related deaths, with 168 recorded in 2025. Victoria followed with 121, Queensland recorded 85, South Australia had 46 and Western Australia reported 39.
People aged over 75 accounted for 44% of all asthma deaths and 68% of deaths among women.
Professor Amanda Barnard, a GP and National Asthma Council spokesperson, said the figures highlight the importance of a coordinated healthcare team for the one in nine Australians living with asthma.
She identified GPs, pharmacists, practice nurses and asthma educators as essential members of this team.
Professor Barnard also raised concerns about the higher death rate among women. While the reasons remain unclear, she explained that asthma patterns differ between males and females as they get older.
Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with asthma during childhood, while the pattern changes later in life, with women experiencing higher rates. Biological and hormonal factors may influence lung function, inflammation and responses to asthma triggers.
The National Asthma Council's updated Australian Asthma Handbook also places greater emphasis on treatments containing inhaled corticosteroids to manage airway inflammation.
Adults and adolescents with asthma are recommended to use anti-inflammatory reliever therapy, such as a budesonide/formoterol inhaler. This combination provides both anti-inflammatory treatment and symptom relief.
Professor Barnard explained that this approach can reduce reliance on short-acting beta-agonist relievers, commonly known as blue puffers, which do not treat the underlying airway inflammation.
She said patients who rely only on short-acting relievers may face a greater risk of asthma flare-ups because these medicines do not address the underlying inflammation.
The combination inhaler can also be used when symptoms occur, depending on the patient's asthma severity and individual treatment needs.
For patients already using separate preventer and reliever inhalers, Professor Barnard suggested GPs discuss whether switching to a combination inhaler would be suitable.
She added that this approach may be particularly helpful for people who forget to use their preventer medication when they feel well.
The latest figures reinforce the importance of regular asthma reviews, appropriate treatment and coordinated care to help reduce the impact of asthma across Australia.
Asthma Deaths Highlight Need for Stronger GP-Led Care in Australia
Source: National Asthma Council Australia – Asthma Mortality 2025; Australian Asthma Handbook.