South Australia must take positive steps to lose its reputation as the state with the worst record on asthma, health advocates claim.
Asthma Australia says SA has the highest rate of asthma-related hospitalisations in the country, with 3700 annual admissions for 180,000 people living with asthma.
The organisation has called on the state government to implement its designed a state-based management plan which could cut the rate by 20 per cent over four years, and has urged the SA government to fund it.
Asthma Australia CEO Michele Goldman said it was time for SA to be proactive.
“We have seen great progress with other state governments including the funding provided by the Victorian government to tackle thunderstorm asthma.
“Despite the highest rate of hospitalisations for asthma in the country, and clear risk factors including the ageing population, the South Australian government has not funded asthma services in the past.
In the last year South Australia has experienced extreme heat waves, bush fires and the Port Augusta ash cloud, all of which could trigger asthma symptoms, Ms Goldman said.